TITLE: Scherzo Alla Marcia (1956)

·         Allegro Alla Marcia, 2nd Movement from Symphony No. 8.

COMPOSER: Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

Ralph Vaughan Williams is one of the preeminent native English composers of the 20th century. He received primary composition training at the Royal College of Music where he studied with Sir Hubert Parry. Upon graduation, he furthered his studies at Cambridge. In 1896, he studied composition with Max Bruch in Berlin, Germany. Upon his return to England, he joined the Folk Song Society. The Society's membership included many popular composers of the time. Both Percy Grainger and Gustov Holst were members. He began teaching at the Royal College of Music in 1919. Ralph Vaughan William's early style centered around the folk song. His symphonies demonstrate a movement in his compositional technique to a style that used more dissonant harmonies, richer melodies and a wider range of emotion. In his autobiography, Ralph Vaughan Williams named Gustav Holst as his most important influence and mentor. He composed nine symphonies in his lifetime. The Symphony No. 8, utilizes the wind section of the orchestra exclusively. It is often performed out of context, for it exemplifies Ralph Vaughan Williams' interest in wind and percussion instruments.

MOVEMENTS: One

PERFORMANCE TIME: 9' 30"

INSTRUMENTATION: 16 Instruments

• 2 Piccolos, 2 Oboes, 2 Clarinets, 2 Bassoons, 1 Contra-Bassoon, 2 Horns, 2 Trumpets, 3 Trombones

EDITIONS: Available for Purchase and Rental

• Rental: Boosey and Hawkes, 200 Smith Street, Farmingdale, NY 11735 (Complete Symphony)
• Purchase: Oxford University Press, 198 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10016-4314 (Complete Symphony)

 

COMPOSITION SKETCH AND MUSICAL CONSIDERATIONS

The Symphony No. 8 in D minor begins with seven variations in search of a theme. It is possible to hear in the overall structure of the first movement, as a traditional sonata form; the third variation marked Andante sostenuto, providing the second theme, and the fourth and fifth variations equivalent to a development section. The final two variations are similar to a recapitulation. The theme, which never appears, is heard in fragmentary form. The first movement is followed by the Scherzo alla Marcia. This movement is only scored for wind instruments. It is dominated by three major themes. The first appearing in the bassoons, the second in trumpets and the third in the flute and high woodwind parts. After a brief fugato comes the trio in 6/8 meter marked Andante, after which contrapuntal use is made of the returning scherzo. The third movement is hymnlike with an intense melody in the cello. The symphony ends with a brilliant and bold Toccata in rondo form.

 

SELECTED RECORDINGS:

Vaughan Williams: Symphony No2	Chandos/9087 (1989)
Ralph Vaughan Williams: Symphony No8	Chandos/8828 (1989)
Vaughan Williams: Symphony No7	RCA/60590
Vaughan Williams: Symphony No2	RCA/61460 (1991)
Vaughan Williams: Symphony No8	RCA/61196 (1991)
Vaughan Williams: Symphony No8	EMI Classics/64021
Vaughan Williams: Symphony No8	Music & Arts/770
Vaughan Williams: Symphony No2	EMI Classics for Pleasure/1
Vaughan Williams: Symphony No4	BBC Radio Classics/91312 (1964)
Vaughan Williams: Symphony No2	EMI Eminence/565458 (1992)

 

RELATED WEBSITES:

Ralph Vaugh Williams Biography, Pictures and Links - http://www.cs.qub.ac.uk/~J.Collis/RVW.html