Vaughan Williamscomposed the first draft of The Lark Ascending in 1914, but laid the work aside during the war for military and medical service. Borrowing the term from Beethoven, he called the work a romance for violin, the title coming from a poem by George Meredith, twelve lines of which preface the published musical score.
The Lark Ascending was one of the first works Vaughan Williams revised and orchestrated upon his post-war return to composition. The work was dedicated to and premiered by violinist Marie Hall in 1920, along with pianist Geoffrey Mendham. Ms. Hall was again the soloist in the debut of the orchestral version of the work in 1921, which was performed by the British Symphony Orchestra, comprised of professional musicians who had served abroad during the war. The landscape of England is evoked by the sounds of this beloved work, as the song of the lark is exquisitely represented in Vaughan Williams’ distinctive writing for the violin.Jessica Mathaes
Classical Music | Violin Music
Ralph Vaughan Williams
The Lark Ascending Play
Recorded on 11/21/2012, uploaded on 04/26/2013
Musician's or Publisher's Notes
Vaughan Williams composed the first draft of The Lark Ascending in 1914, but laid the work aside during the war for military and medical service. Borrowing the term from Beethoven, he called the work a romance for violin, the title coming from a poem by George Meredith, twelve lines of which preface the published musical score.
The Lark Ascending was one of the first works Vaughan Williams revised and orchestrated upon his post-war return to composition. The work was dedicated to and premiered by violinist Marie Hall in 1920, along with pianist Geoffrey Mendham. Ms. Hall was again the soloist in the debut of the orchestral version of the work in 1921, which was performed by the British Symphony Orchestra, comprised of professional musicians who had served abroad during the war. The landscape of England is evoked by the sounds of this beloved work, as the song of the lark is exquisitely represented in Vaughan Williams’ distinctive writing for the violin. Jessica Mathaes
More music by Ralph Vaughan Williams
From "Songs of Travel," Whither Must I Wander
The Vagabond, from Songs of Travel
From "Songs of Travel," Let Beauty Awake
From "Songs of Travel," The Vagabond
Suite de Ballet
Performances by same musician(s)
The Attack and Reign of The Broken Stained Glass Angels: Trio Gloratio for Violin, Viola and Piano
Orientale, from Kaleidoscope
Scherzo for Violin and Piano in c minor, WoO posth. 2 (from F.A.E. Sonata)
Suite from "Much Ado About Nothing"
Staring at The Unremembering Moonlight: Elegy for Violin and Piano
On Passing Texas Churches at Mystic Sunset: Hymn for Solo Violin
Vidui, from Baal Shem
Nigun, from Baal Shem
Sonata for Violin in E-flat Major, Op. 18
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