The son of a clergyman, he became an atheist in college, then settled for a life as a “cheerful agnostic.”
And yet, he probably wrote more Christmas music than any other modern composer, with a deep love for both the pageantry and the simple joys of the season.
In this hour, orchestral and vocal music by Ralph Vaughan Williams.
FEATURED RECORDINGS
| CD Title | Group/Artist | Catalog # | UPC |
| Folk Songs of the Four Seasons | Dimitri Ensemble, Clare College Choir, Cambridge, David Wilcocks | Albion ALBCD010 | 5060158190102 |
| Hodie & Fantasia on Christmas Carols | Stephen Gadd, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Guildford Choral Society, Hilary Davan Wetton | Naxos 8.570439 | 0747313043972 |
| Vaughan Williams Collector’s Edition [for the “Gloucester Wassail” by the London Madrigal Singers] | Various | EMI Classics 7243 5 75308 2 8 | 5099920663629 |
| British Viola Concertos [for Suite for Viola & Small Orchestra] | Roger Chase, viola; BBC Concert Orchestra, Stephen Bel | Dutton CDLX 7216 | 76538772162 |
| British Symphonic Collection - Ralph Vaughan Williams [for Prelude on an Old Carol Tune] | Munich Symphony Orchestra, Douglas Bostock | Membran 233316 | 885150333167 |
| Carols of Vaughan Wiliams [for “Wither's Rocking Hymn”] | Cardiff Festival Choir, Owain Arwel Hughes | Griffin GCCD 4072 | 5027822407225 |
| On Christmas Night [incidental music for Dickens’ A Christmas Carol] & The First Nowell [“In Bethlehem City,” “The Salutation Carol,” “How Brightly Shone the Morning Star,” and “The First Nowell” | City of London Sinfonia & Joyful Company of Singers, Richard Hickox | Chandos CHAN 10385 | 095115138526 |
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