Ralph Vaughan Williams - Dark Pastoral for Cello & Orchestra

Conductor: Martin Yates; played by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra; photograph "The Thinker" by Edward Steichen

[@jackhogan1280]

I'm listening to this for the first time, while still reeling from the news that a dear friend of mine, my music teacher, has died. It fits my mood perfectly, better than any words can.

[@rrozoff1]

Bless you both.

[@shin-i-chikozima]

Vaughan Williams'melody has a special appeal to the Japanese hearts Vaughan Williams'melodies have a unique nostalgic feel that touches the hearts of Japanese people From Tokyo of the Land of the Rising Sun 🇯🇵

[@Deliquescentinsight]

This might be so, but his music is essentially British, his musical soul is a product of English life,but music is a universal language, your statement reinforces this.

[@RobertLocksley385]

We're a simple landed people, yours and mine, but with a similar history of islanders struggling for nationhood. However all we both look for is "a small measure of peace that all men seek, and few ever find" to quote a certain film. The works of RVW call to us because they're the sounds of such themes from a time in which our people gave much to achieve something like that peace that we might enjoy the fruits of such a thing, and thereby still hear RVW in our time as it was in those days. It's good that your people still hear this and not just enjoy it, but also find something spiritual in it as our people did in those days. 元気でね、友よ

[@michaelcunningham3540]

This music touches all people 😊

[@thenot-so-smartfox4145]

@@RobertLocksley385 I'm a simple man: I see a reference to The Last Samurai, I read it.

[@mikezinn7212]

Vaughan Williams often uses the pentatonic scale which is an inherent part of Japanese music. A lot of English folk music uses modal scales and the pentatonic scale. It certainly touches the soul!

[@Deliquescentinsight]

I know that Ralph V. Williams was a man of great human feeling, he understood melancholia and our struggle to live, just beautiful music, what a gift he is to us all

[@williamrubinstein3442]

Arguably the greatest composer of the twentieth century.

[@michaelcunningham3540]

Without a doubt.brilliant

[@waynesmith3767]

Well,there were so many! Undoubtedly a great composer.

[@judithwhitehouse2149]

Actually, for me he comes in as second all-time great only to Bach...

[@wcsxwcsx]

The things you can find in those suggestions on the side bar. They can fill up your life.

[@go2beach51]

+wcsxwcsx So much music...so little time.

[@mjrsnafu]

...not to mention the searchbox...

[@topheeg8818]

UpAndOut Yet the fulfillment of our own quests can become the journey of ones self discovery.

[@weelass2205]

almost unbearably beautiful

[@remixuereb]

A beautiful love of a mother to his child is almost unbearably beautiful .... : ? L'âme humaine est souvent tortueuse .

[@jeffreymafereka9477]

Vaughn William and Gerald Finzi wrote beautifully for Cello... 🌹🙏👌

[@cellosong]

You should acknowledge the wonderful cello soloist, Guy Johnston, in your notes. His playing is exceptional.

[@RKNsword]

If only Vaughan Williams had finished his cello concerto...this would have been the second movement, and it perhaps would have been a masterpiece.

[@jhegre]

most likely so

[@heatherstratfold4108]

Beyond any doubt.. I’m a cellist and I’m blown away

[@timothymering2240]

A composer who knew who he was. That is the ultimate compliment I can pay to VW's music, which has been a lifelong source of pleasure for me

[@theGentlemanCaller73]

This man, VW. What a incredible composer. I can barely get a few notes into anything he's composed without these wet things coming out of my eyes.

[@kathyreiners6833]

Matt Lohrke I have those wet things coming out of my eyes too

[@theGentlemanCaller73]

glad we agree!

[@jonathanmeans2290]

I'm not weeping...I'm tear-bending! A blessing upon all who evoke such responses; catharsis is underrated!

[@JessY_8]

me too, what a beautiful composition and performance

[@michaelmurphy9588]

in my life experience of those close to me and those who have endured horrible wars...when i heard the 3rd Symphony, knew RVW had served in ambulance service 'bringing home the pieces' of his generation and his platoon being with many of the great English music people...George Butterfield et. al., I cried for that generation lost...but also realized he 'counterposed' the Cotswold Countryside of his youth as a meditation for 'carrying on'...that there is also much good...but in Flanders fields...there is desperation for those unimaginable bucolic times; the piece feels like the heaven is weeping...and it is. This is our human experience.

[@purmer26]

I am not a professional, just an older dedicated listener from The Netherlands. I spend some years in the UK in the '70's in England and many holidays after that all over the island. Elgar and Holst were on my speakers for many years already. Vaughan Williams I discovered somewhere in the '90's , and has remained a deep interest. Specialy the delicate pieces like this Dark Pastorale, In The Fen Country and others : They seem to come from inside .

[@aislingbridcarberry]

By listening to this piece, it would encourage you to write beautiful poetry

[@raptorphile56]

This is a score actually written by David Matthews based on fragments of a slow movement for a proposed cello concerto intended for Pablo Casals. It was composed in 2009 and first premiered at The Proms in 2010. The fragments were written by RVW at about the same time as the 5th Symphony and some have noted a kinship with the Romanza of that symphony and the Lark Ascending. It is VW's musical sensibility to the core.

[@Deliquescentinsight]

I can hear 'The Lark...' especially in this piece those emotional swells and flute refrains, and solo violin voice.

[@laon1496]

진짜 이 유튜브 알고리즘ㅋㅋㅋ차준환 선수 새 쇼트곡이 이렇게 맥락 없이 뜨다니ㅋㅋ피겨팬은 무릎을 탁 치고 갑니다ㅋㅋㅋㅋ

[@isabellaa.albuquerquee]

The best composer ever!

[@kaybeenullenvoyde9196]

I am so loving all of your comments, have been a RVW fan since 1965. KEEP IT ALL ALIVE!

[@moonbeamchaos]

Me too! Well, 1964, but it was a lovely beginning. My introduction was the Mass, because it was the flip side of my favorite Bach cantata!

[@oddbod8655]

I haven't listened to RVW for nearly forty years.I studied his work in music appreciation at school. Oh how I should have carried on listening and enriched my life. There are no words in the English language to say how beautiful his works are. It's never to late to carry on listening.

[@31Alden]

My parents exposed me to RVW throughout my childhood, but I was young and into the Beatles, Motown, Stones, etc. As you so beautifully stated, I am closing the circle by returning to the music that formed me. All of me. RVW to wit. I am listening to everything I can, absorbing as much beauty as I possibly can without my heart bursting open from the sheer beauty of his compositions.

[@bernabefernandeztouceda7315]

@@31Alden oh that's beautiful!

[@javiervivanco919]

This music takes me to a world of peace

[@michaelcunningham3540]

Best ever english composer by far tremendous,

[@thatsbougie]

The title makes it sound like a DARK AND EDGY REBOOT but it's really quite beautiful.

[@CJDJgamer]

RVW came into my life by chance. My background does not entertain such 'so called' music. But VW knows my true self. How odd is that. This piece came to me at a major junction in my life. It puts into a language, that which I cannot describe even to myself. It is not all his original work, but it does an incredibly good job of mimicking the sentiment he owns. I am lost in it, thankfully. Better that reality.

[@vincentstuart3148]

underrated master composer what else is new

[@thebojci555]

Damn ninjas cutting onions right now... you just cant get enough of RVW's music

[@skrivbordslampan6923]

This is one of my favorite RVW pieces! Why isn't it more famous?

[@devindevon]

Because it's only partially by RVW.

[@devindevon]

Composer David Matthews finished the sore based on RVW's partially written slow movement for an unfinished cello concerto.

[@michaelcunningham1484]

the best British composer ever !

[@johndiest9875]

Always add... '...in my oppinion'

[@mizofan]

or "in my opinion"

[@williamrubinstein3442]

Not only "British"

[@RolandHutchinson]

Just to be safe, always add 'since Purcell'.

[@michaelcunningham3540]

Still the best😂

[@thomaspaul2724]

I'd recommend watching the BBC interview with one of the men involved with bringing this piece to life. It shows up with "dark pastoral" search on KZbin. Turns out that the first 4-5 minutes of this are pure Vaughan Williams melody with orchestration by David Matthews, who finished the previously unfinished work. After that, it's mostly Matthews' own contrasting interpretation for the middle section followed up by his returning to the original Vaughan Williams themes at the end of the piece. Awesome stuff. As a cellist, I'm really glad Matthews kept pursuing the ability to finish this piece and went through with it.

[@royfearn4345]

This is all new to me, but I am pleased with the finished result. Undeniably based on RVW themes with a talented finisher!

[@junej4216]

Just discovering Vaughan Williams and I feel so lucky. Simply beautiful. The cello, extraordinary.

[@davidsevenbros3065]

Another lovely and largely unknown piece by a true master of the English Pastoral genre. Vaughn Williams is a deep well to which I often come and drink. Thanks Gen for sharing.

[@stevenburky9980]

love Vaughan Williams. Any of his pastoral = best classical music ever, or at least from Britain....why couldn't he live forever and keep making this kind of music?

[@moonbeamchaos]

At the risk of cliché, he DOES live forever in his music, and I'm forever discovering new pieces I had never known about. If he had only written Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis it could -- almost -- have been enough for me. But I'm greedy, and, frankly, grateful for KZbin for the ability to hear so much of his work.

[@jonathanmeans2290]

And I'm told he also lives on in the lives and works of the many younger composers he generously (and wisely) sponsored throughout his career. Bless you, RV-W, may your tribe ever increase!

[@royfearn4345]

Living forever is not in the scheme of things. This should not be cause for regret. Live your life to the full and do good things. RVW did, and if everyone did the same the world would be a far better place!

[@moherr1]

I thought I knew evey piece composed by RVW. What a discovery! Another jewel from this amazing composer

[@michaelalbutt9940]

I have loved the music of Vaughan Williams since I was at school. I remember our music teacher playing his music and saying, "He's still alive, an old man of over eighty." My own music teacher sat with him in a box at the Albert Hall for the Proms premier of his 9th symphony. This music, unknown to me until twenty minutes ago, is pure Vaughan Williams. Wonderful.

[@Paul49Giloi]

Profoundly beautiful. Thank you, Gen.M.

[@baroqueman1]

Shades of this excellent composer's 3rd Symphony are evident in this calming and contemplative piece.

[@garyjohnson9037]

his music expresses the beauty and horrors experienced in life. The music speaks for it self defining his genius that will live on in the hearts of those who it touches.

[@oliverschwarz-roosmann5249]

Das ist brillant formuliert und bringt die wunderbare Eigenart von Vaughan-Williams auf den Punkt!

[@williamhamilton5108]

Another incredible piece by RVW. He’s only now getting the recognition he deserves.

[@jimcrawford5039]

He was very well known in the UK when I was young ( I am now 82) and here in Australia too. His ashes are interred in Westminster Abbey. It’s great that through modern media that he is loved so much all around the world!

[@stevennewton1342]

More wonderful, evocative music from England's premier composer. Sublime

[@rwabahizichristian6659]

The transitions are absolutely unbelievable! Vaughan was probably a big feeler

[@keithbennett694]

From the era of Wild Flower meadows & abundance of Wildlife, the inspiration must have been infinite.

[@ramonmidence2050]

Nothing else to add ,as much say , music for the feelings & sensitive beings whose hearts would go peacefully on their lives .that is R. V.WILLIAMS ' .

[@FranciscoFerrerGaliana1930]

preciosa

[@christhornley1664]

Sombre and compelling. A pensively beautiful piece of music from Vaughan Williams.

[@caitlyncherro6025]

I'm genuinely upset that I didn't know about this wonderful composer until very recently.

[@moonbeamchaos]

Luckily he left much for you to learn!

[@pedromartins374]

I believe tha Williams is like Villa-Lobos... A lot of feeling and emotion... Love both!!!

[@carlosalsinatarrasa5367]

Pedro Kebbe

[@c.almeida4485]

Villa Lobos é também um compositor genial e infelizmente pouco conhecido fora do Brasil.

[@johnrussell3980]

Thank you for NO ADS! I am removing other selections from my listening lists because of annoying, loud ads that interrupt the flow of beautiful Vaughan Williams! John R. Ralph Vaughan-Williams FB Group

[@susanhunter7097]

I had no idea there was a VW FB! I will look it up...how wonderful to talk with others who love this music as I do! Doesn't hurt that RVW initials were also my dear father's.....

[@moonbeamchaos]

PAY THE $10 a month for Premium. It’s worth every penny.

[@javanaisdei]

amazing!

[@ronaldmuir9126]

His use of woodwind in this piece reminds me of certain parts of his Pastoral Symphony. The one composer who truly reaches into the depths of my soul.

[@TheValdoe]

Cellist is Guy Johnston.

[@JolPil]

Wild green summer forests fill this sensual music, give me wine and joy!

[@johnparr5879]

Glorious swirling motions, captured in gently passing moments held within. Music

[@maxtofone]

Thanks a lot for sharing this wonderful composition... RVW music is sublime!

[@oldbrassman2157]

Hearing this for the first time. A great find! Thanks for posting.

[@marcopiscina8420]

Thank you Gen. M. for publishing. RVW's music makes me feel simultaneously happy and sad. It touches my heart like no other music. Simply brilliant!

[@gearycarrier1587]

Stunningly...

[@anamariamartinez4259]

Sus composiciones son como una montaña rusa, pues a mí me hacen vibrar igual, GRACIAS

[@ginajackson4122]

Simply marvellous!! There are no other words to describe it. This is my daily medicine.

[@Wotansangst]

(Yet) Another achingly beautiful work by Vaughan Williams. Thank you, Gen. M., for posting this.

[@Ocelot2000]

I'm in love with this piece!!!

[@MerryMary2614]

Absolutely beautiful.

[@schark5311]

Absolutely stunning piece. I'm in tears. It has the feel of sadness and danger, and yet manages to be playful at times and give hope.

[@wellnessgirl2806]

The cello is eating me from inside! Soul stirring stuff!

[@shodanart]

Thank you for posting this bittersweet RVWs ❤️💔

[@CarmelFa]

Such an emotive piece, beautiful!

[@germanquintero10121946]

,MARAVILLOSO VOLVERLO A DISFRUTAR

[@spqrxli]

Thank you very much for uploading this beautiful work. I have been listening to VW for forty years and I had no idea this piece existed in any form. Exquisite performance, too.

[@ca9drop]

OMAIGA! This is so good.

[@javanaisdei]

amazing

[@michaelmurphy9588]

He was one of the most 'spiritual' composers though like all moderns, academically agnostic,....he writes about real things in the human experience....his is 'high and human' art rather than the modern nihilistic theoretical crap most of us must endure called modern music.....our STLSO performed 'Thomas Tallis Theme' in our very large New Cathedral....however any of us be...it took us to the upper realms of our human experience...and we do so need that in our lives....

[@robertzeek4020]

I have been listening to this work by Vaughan Williams in 1942 for years. And I would compare it to Holst's Lyric Movement of 1933. I recommend the comparison. They are both great beyond words.

[@mikeflint4412]

I don't think anyone's music creates so many images in the mind as VW's it is heart-breaking on one hand and uplifting on the other, I would love to know what drove and inspired him.

[@mcc9887]

breath taking....stunning.....

[@IronReef77]

Always loved the Cello. Ralph makes great music as well. Doesnt disappoint

[@christianbalmer1958]

Great performance of a wonderful piece of music. Thanks for sharing.

[@juandavidbernalgiraldo]

excellent recording

[@classy_dweller]

Oh ,it is a so wonderful ,deeply soul-soothing work ....

[@livetwice7702]

Who are the 20 thumbs down , this is music from God !! There are some odd people in the world

[@malcolmbird9928]

This piece is exquisite. Why , why have'nt I heard it before now ? - another of RVW's heartbreakers- why has'nt it been exposed on Classic fm, like say the the 'Talliis' or the 'Lark' ? Some of it's restlessness seems to me like further reference to the trenches of Piccardy .

[@EliezerPennywhistler]

Malcolm Bird Why don't you ask them?

[@lynnevenson7873]

More than a few echoes of the Lark here. Sublime is a great word.

[@danutz75]

The soloist is Guy Johnston.

[@arcturusvmoon]

Absolutely wonderful!

[@nirigovind8793]

Moving and sublime

[@marytaylor-davies7103]

Absolutely beautiful, I want to learn this.

[@germanquintero10121946]

MARAVILLOSA

[@sydshrimp]

Glorious!

[@jordanesewals]

Splendid music.

[@eduardociampi4052]

Great choice, Gen. M!!!

[@randya7578]

Drunken Pirate - Your ear is picking up the 5 note Pentatonic scale that is a true musical chameleon. Based on the setting, it can be a traditional melody from Ireland / British Isles, China and Japan or the basis for a blues melody and improvisation.

[@galas062]

Thank you!

[@kvattkin]

out of this world;-)

[@cbooth2004]

Wonderful. Thank you.

[@Modt5]

Love. Thank you!

[@daphneanson9587]

Surely it is obvious that VW was the greatest ever composer, the Shakespeare of music?

[@michaelcunningham3540]

Absolutely 👍

[@williamrubinstein3442]

Here is an absolute masterpiece by RVW- unknown until recently!

[@Threetails]

He's in my top 5 along with Beethoven, Borodin, Mozart, and Schubert.

[@daphneanson9587]

VW was obviously the greatest ever composer. My guess is that more and more people will agree.

[@EHagen10]

He touches my soul like no other, and has only gotten more precious since I first heard him during my late teens 40 years ago.

[@mcc9887]

Walking the White City Beaumont Hamel on the Somme with this in your head is one of the most moving things you can ever do ....Beautiful..stunning.....

[@klvaughanwilliams1725]

I feel the music is intrinsic.

[@billwagstaff9986]

beautiful R v w a true genius . I've not heard this before wonderful thanks..

[@timanderson6941]

First time hearing this RVW piece.

[@albertcombrink3717]

Guy Johnston plays it beautifully

[@petetube99]

How can a cello or a violin make me think of an experience in a particular place, in a landscape I have never seen? I dont get it.

[@vinnievector]

Over the switch back cobbled and stone bridge on the canal. My JR dog leading the way. It’s well trodden I see the ruts in the cobbles years of lives crossing to the other side . I am on my own now he crossed years ago. He is waiting for me , just a moment I say I am not done here yet. You cross I will see you soon on the other side .

[@tyler5784]

I played this for my senior recital and all was well... until the 16th note double stops