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The Symphonies with Martyn Brabbins

Donald Macleod is joined by conductor Martyn Brabbins to explore the many worlds of Vaughan Williams’ 9 Symphonies.

Donald Macleod and conductor Martyn Brabbins explore Vaughan Williams' Symphonies.

In the week of the 150th anniversary of Vaughan Williams' birth, Donald Macleod revisits a series of conversations he recorded earlier in the year with leading authorities on the composer. Each day he explores a new area of Vaughan Williams' life and music; shedding light on his central role in Britain's musical story, his posthumous impact and how we respond to him today. Part of Radio 3’s ongoing season, “Vaughan Williams’ Today”, marking the composer's 150th anniversary year.

Today, Donald is joined by conductor Martyn Brabbins to explore the many worlds of Vaughan Williams’ 9 Symphonies – from his epic first “A Sea Symphony” to his enigmatic, drifting final work in the form – the 9th.

Vaughan Williams
Symphony no. 2 “A London Symphony” – IV. Andante con moto (excerpt)
BBC Symphony Orchestra
Martyn Brabbins (conductor)

Vaughan Williams
Symphony no. 7 “Sinfonia Antartica” - V. Epilogue (excerpt)
Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra
Sir Andrew Davis (conductor)

Vaughan Williams
Symphony no.1 “A Sea Symphony” - I. A Song for all Sea, all Ships (excerpt)
Katherine Broderick (soprano)
Roderick Williams (baritone)
Hallé Orchestra and Choir,
Hallé Youth Choir
Schola Cantorum of Oxford
Ad Solem
Sir Mark Elder (conductor)

Vaughan Williams
Symphony no 9 in E minor – IV. Andante tranquillo – poco animato (excerpt)
BBC Symphony Orchestra
Andrew Davis (conductor)

Vaughan Williams
Symphony no.5 in D major – III. Romanza (excerpt)
American Symphony Orchestra
Leon Botstein (conductor)

Vaughan Williams
Symphony no.5 in D major – I. Preludio
BBC Symphony Orchestra
Martyn Brabbins (conductor)

Vaughan Williams
Symphony no 6 in E minor – III. Scherzo (excerpt)
Academy of St Martin in the Fields
Neville Marriner (conductor)

Vaughan Williams
Symphony no. 4 in F minor – I. Allegro (excerpt)
London Symphony Orchestra
Andre Previn (conductor)

Vaughan Williams
Symphony no.1 ‘A Sea Symphony’ - I. A Song for all Sea, all Ships (excerpt)
Katherine Broderick (soprano)
Roderick Williams (baritone)
Hallé Orchestra and Choir,
Hallé Youth Choir
Schola Cantorum of Oxford
Ad Solem
Sir Mark Elder (conductor)

Vaughan Williams
Symphony no. 6 in E minor- IV. Epilogue
New Philharmonia Orchestra
Adrian Boult (conductor)

Vaughan Williams
Symphony no. 8 in D minor – IV. Toccata
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Vladimir Jurowski (conductor)

Producer: Sam Phillips

59 minutes

Music Played

  • Ralph Vaughan Williams

    Symphony No 2, 'A London Symphony' (4th mvt)

    Orchestra: BBC Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Martyn Brabbins.
    • HYPERION : CDA 68190.
    • HYPERION.
    • 4.
  • Ralph Vaughan Williams

    Symphony No 7, 'Sinfonia Antartica' (5th mvt)

    Singer: Mari Eriksmoen. Choir: Bergen Filharmoniske Kor. Orchestra: Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Andrew Davis.
    • Chandos : CHSA 5186.
    • Chandos.
    • 1.
  • Ralph Vaughan Williams

    Symphony No 1, 'A Sea Symphony' (1st mvt)

    Performer: Ad Solem. Singer: Katherine Broderick. Singer: Roderick Williams. Choir: Hallé Choir. Choir: Hallé Youth Choir. Choir: Schola Cantorum. Orchestra: Hallé. Conductor: Sir Mark Elder.
    • Halle : CD HLL-7542.
    • Halle.
    • 1.
  • Ralph Vaughan Williams

    Symphony No 9 in E minor (4th mvt)

    Orchestra: BBC Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Andrew Davis.
    • WARNER CLASSICS : 2564617302.
    • WARNER CLASSICS.
  • Ralph Vaughan Williams

    Symphony No 5 in D major (3rd mvt)

    Orchestra: BBC Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Martyn Brabbins.
    • HYPERION : CDA-68325.
    • HYPERION.
    • 1.
  • Ralph Vaughan Williams

    Symphony No 5 in D major (1st mvt)

    Orchestra: American Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Leon Botstein.
    • AMERICAN SYMPHONY : ASO203.
    • American Symphony.
    • 3.
  • Ralph Vaughan Williams

    Symphony No 6 in E minor (3rd mvt)

    Conductor: Adrian Boult. Orchestra: New Philharmonia Orchestra.
    • APEX : 0927-49584-2.
    • APEX.
    • 4.
  • Ralph Vaughan Williams

    Symphony No 4 in F minor (1st mvt)

    Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: André Previn.
    • RCA : 88875126952.
    • RCA.
  • Ralph Vaughan Williams

    Symphony No 1, 'A Sea Symphony' (1st mvt)

    Performer: Ad Solem. Singer: Katherine Broderick. Singer: Roderick Williams. Choir: Hallé Choir. Choir: Hallé Youth Choir. Choir: Schola Cantorum. Orchestra: Hallé. Conductor: Sir Mark Elder.
    • Halle : CD HLL-7542.
    • Halle.
    • 1.
  • Ralph Vaughan Williams

    Symphony No 6 in E minor (4th mvt)

    Conductor: Adrian Boult. Orchestra: New Philharmonia Orchestra.
    • APEX : 0927-49584-2.
    • APEX.
    • 4.
  • Ralph Vaughan Williams

    Symphony No 8 in D minor (4th mvt)

    Orchestra: London Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Vladimir Jurowski.
    • LPO : LPO 0082.
    • LPO.
    • 6.

Broadcasts

  • Fri 20 May 2022 12:00
  • Wed 12 Oct 2022 12:00

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