The Vaughan Williams Christmas Connection
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Ralph Vaughan Williams, the "cheeerful agnostic"
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 the next hour, orchestral and vocal music for the holidays by Ralph Vaughan Williams.
FEATURED RECORDINGS
| 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 |
