Two of the 20th century’s most popular orchestral works are based on hymns—one from 16th century England, and the other from 19th century America. And both hymns are well-known today almost entirely because of their use in those two concert pieces.
In this hour, the story of the Tudor hymn that inspired Vaughan Williams Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis--and the Shaker tune “Simple Gifts,” rediscovered by Aaron Copland and made famous in perhaps his best-known work, Appalachian Spring.FEATURED RECORDINGS
Whales and Nightingales (Judy Collins) Elektra 75010
Vaughan Williams Norfolk Rhapsody No. 1 (under narration) EMI CDM 7 640222
New Philharmonia Orchestra, Adrian Boult
Vaughan Williams: Collector's Edition, disc 19 EMI 2066362
"Old One Hundredth," Choir Of Winchester Cathedral and Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, David Hill, cond.
Tallis Scholars Sing Thomas Tallis Gimell CDGIM203
Sancte Deus & Tunes for Archbishop Parker's Psalter
O Thou Transcendent [DVD] Tony Palmer Films TPDVD106
"When Rising from the Bed of Death" Choir of Gloucester Cathedral)
Vaughan Williams: Collector's Edition, disc 10 EMI 2066362
Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis, Bournemouth Symphony, Silvestri
Heartstrings (Muriel Anderson) CGD 99
"Simple Gifts" (break/end music)
Simple Gifts (Coulter & Phillips) Gourd Music 106
"Simple Gifts" (music under narration)
Simple Gifts (Boston Camerata) Erato 4509-98491-2
"Simple Gifts" (choral)
Copland: Applachian Spring, etc. Nimbus NI 2506
Appalachian Spring, St. Luke's Chamber Ensemble, Davies
Long Time Ago Teldec 9031-77310-2
Copland, Old American Songs: "Simple Gifts," St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Wolff; Thomas Hampson
John Williams: "Air and Simple Gifts" iTunes
"Air and Simple Gifts," Yo-Yo Ma, Anthony McGill, Gabriela Montero and Itzhak Perlman.
Whales and Nightingales (Judy Collins) Elektra 75010
Vaughan Williams Norfolk Rhapsody No. 1 (under narration) EMI CDM 7 640222
New Philharmonia Orchestra, Adrian Boult
Vaughan Williams: Collector's Edition, disc 19 EMI 2066362
"Old One Hundredth," Choir Of Winchester Cathedral and Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, David Hill, cond.
Tallis Scholars Sing Thomas Tallis Gimell CDGIM203
Sancte Deus & Tunes for Archbishop Parker's Psalter
O Thou Transcendent [DVD] Tony Palmer Films TPDVD106
"When Rising from the Bed of Death" Choir of Gloucester Cathedral)
Vaughan Williams: Collector's Edition, disc 10 EMI 2066362
Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis, Bournemouth Symphony, Silvestri
Heartstrings (Muriel Anderson) CGD 99
"Simple Gifts" (break/end music)
Simple Gifts (Coulter & Phillips) Gourd Music 106
"Simple Gifts" (music under narration)
Simple Gifts (Boston Camerata) Erato 4509-98491-2
"Simple Gifts" (choral)
Copland: Applachian Spring, etc. Nimbus NI 2506
Appalachian Spring, St. Luke's Chamber Ensemble, Davies
Long Time Ago Teldec 9031-77310-2
Copland, Old American Songs: "Simple Gifts," St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Wolff; Thomas Hampson
John Williams: "Air and Simple Gifts" iTunes
"Air and Simple Gifts," Yo-Yo Ma, Anthony McGill, Gabriela Montero and Itzhak Perlman.