Historical Context Flashcards
Who is Vaughan Williams?
Vaughan Williams (1872-1958) was born in Down Ampney, Gloucestershire, and had family connections with the Wedgewood and Darwin dynasties.
Where was he educated?
He was educated at Charterhouse School, the Royal College of Music and Trinity Hall, Cambridge.
Who was his educators?
His principal teachers were Parry and Stanford, though he later sought tuition from Bruch (Berlin, 1897) and Ravel (Paris, 1908).
What is he celebrated for in English Music?
He is celebrated in English Music for his interest in folk music, undertaking folk-song collections in Essex, Norfolk and Sussex.
What does his early work reflect?
His Early Work reflects a gradual shift from a basically ‘Romantic’ approach (Songs Of Travel and Toward the Unknown Region) to a style incorporating:
-Folk Influences, e.g Modality (On Wenlock Edge, 1908-1909)
-The influences of Tudor music (Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis, 1910)
-Influences from Depussy and Ravel, notably harmonic parallelism, whole-tone harmony and colouristic sonorities
What is ‘On Wenlock Edge’?
‘On Wenlock Edge’ is a song-cycle consisting of six poems for tenor, string quartet and piano.
What does ‘On Wenlock Edge’ draw on for it’s verses?
It draws on verses from A Shropshire Lad by A. E. Housman (1859-1936).
What is the Subject Matter of ‘On Wenlock Edge’?
Generally Melancholy in tone, the subject matter often concerns mortality, the fleeing nature of life and thwarted love.
