Re: Re: Vaughan Williams Fourth by DSO


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Posted by Rick Denney on April 22, 2002 at 19:04:55:

In Reply to: Re: Vaughan Williams Fourth by DSO posted by Steve Oberheu on April 22, 2002 at 18:12:54:

I think Vaughan Williams was his own worst enemy. He was not neurotic, and was faithful to his wives, well-spoken of his enemies, amiable even when he lost his temper (apparently a frequent but entertaining spectacle), and passionate about the very un-modern roots of English music. He attempted to realign English music along the lines it might have gone had not the English been bowled over by Handel. He just didn't have any of the cachet of Great Composers. He wrote hymns, by goodness! How can you take that seriously?

Had he used the term "Aboriginal Music," or "Native Briton Music," instead of "Folk Song," and edited the English Hymnal under an alias, he might not have lost hipness with the academics and jet-setting conductors that came in the following decades.

Or, maybe some of his stuff is just too hard. The 4th is no picnic for the conductor or the musicians.

Rick "a fan from before awareness of the Tuba Concerto" Denney


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