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Holst and Vaughan Williams: Making Music English

Historian Amanda Vickery and broadcaster Tom Service unearth the fascinating story of the lifelong friendship between composers Ralph Vaughan Williams and Gustav Holst.

Historian Amanda Vickery and broadcaster Tom Service unearth the fascinating story of the lifelong friendship between composers Ralph Vaughan Williams and Gustav Holst, whose music gave birth to the 'English sound' in the first half of the 20th century.

They retrace the walking trips the two composers took together across the country to discover how influences ranging from the Renaissance masters to folk music imbued their music with the 'Englishness' we recognise today. Illustrating the story, the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Concert Orchestra perform excerpts of both composers' music.

59 minutes

Last on

Mon 25 Sep 2023 02:50

Music Played

  • Ralph Vaughan Williams

    Fantasia On A Theme By Thomas Tallis

    Orchestra: Queensland Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Patrick Thomas.
  • Gustav Holst

    The Planets, Op.32:1. Mars, The Bringer of War

    Performer: Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: George Hurst.
  • Gustav Holst

    Mars (The Bringer of War) From The Planets – Suite, op.32

  • Ralph Vaughan Williams

    The Lark Ascending

    Conductor: Adrian Boult. Performer: Hugh Bean.

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Amanda Vickery
Presenter Tom Service
Conductor Barry Wordsworth
Executive Producer Ben Weston
Executive Producer Elizabeth Hartford
Director Alastair Laurence
Production Manager Lisa Quilter
Editor Paul Binns
Performer ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Concert Orchestra
Production Company Reef Television Ltd

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