Ralph Vaughan Williams - Serenade to Music - Original version for 16 Soloists & Orchestra

Vaughan Williams wrote this piece as a tribute to the conductor Sir Henry Wood to mark the fiftieth anniversary of Wood's first concert. The solo parts were composed specifically for the voices of sixteen eminent British singers chosen by Wood and the composer. In some parts of the work, the soloists sing together as a "choir," sometimes in as many as twelve parts; in others, each soloist is allotted a solo (some soloists get multiple solos). The published score places the initials of each soloist next to his or her lines.
Wood conducted the first performance at his jubilee concert at the Royal Albert Hall on 5 October 1938. Sergei Rachmaninoff played in the first half of the concert as soloist in his Second Piano Concerto; when he heard the Serenade from his place in the audience, he was so overcome by the beauty of the music that he wept.
The text for this work is an adaptation of the discussion about music and the music of the spheres in Act V, Scene 1 of The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare. Vaughan Williams later arranged the piece into versions for chorus and orchestra and solo violin and orchestra.
Images
I took these images, including the moon, near my home in the Peak District, Derbyshire, England.
Musicians
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Performers: Norma Burrowes, Sheila Armstrong, Marie Hayward, Gloria Jennings, Shirley Minty, Meriel Dickinson, Alfreda Hodgson, Bernard Dickerson, Wynford Evans, Kenneth Bowen, Ian Partridge, Christopher Keyte, John Noble, John Carol Case, Richard Angas
Conductor: Sir Adrian Boult
(c) EMI 1969 (remastered in 1987)

[@davidb_bitsbobs]

I’m looking through old music scores of my late father-in-law (John Noble), and came across ‘Serenade to Music’ so I thought I’d take a listen on KZbin. Thank-you for uploading his actual recording! Inside the score he’s written “Recorded 5 November 1969. EMI in the Kingsway Hall. L.P.O. (leader Rodney Friend)”. He also included a printout of all the soloists and members of the chorus (32 in total). I was fortunate to sing with John during the 1990s, and hear him perform solo on several occasions. When he sang beside me in a choir he had to tone his voice down, which was so powerful and focused he could fill the Albert Hall with a whisper! Best Wishes!

[@bradleyevans2637]

John Noble was a great man - the original "Pilgrim" of RVW's "The Pilgrim's Progress." You are a lucky person to be so related. May he rest in peace. May we all rest and remain in peace with RVW's fine music. B :)

[@Morigi5]

Oh my, this is such a singular, glorious masterpiece by RVW ~ a perfect communion of orchestral, choral and vocal composition! To my knowledge, there is no other work quite like this one in the entire classical repertory - a truly unique creation of RVW’s genius. No wonder Rachmaninov wept at its Prom performance: it takes a hardcore romantic to feel another hardcore romantic! Even mere amateurs like myself get immediately transported by this sublime timeless music... This is a marvellous classic EMI recording from 1969 conducted by Sir Adrian Boult, arguably the greatest interpreter of RVW ever. The second version that I very much like is the 1990 Hyperion Records recording by the English Chamber Orchestra and Corydon Singers conducted by Matthew Best. I thoroughly recommend it for the languor of soloists’ voices and beauty of the recorded sound. A special thank you to the author of this music video for the wonderful natural imagery of Derbyshire through the seasons. I’ve visited there many moons ago in winter, at Christmas in fact, and it was most wonderful indeed.

[@larryhamlet8479]

Just wonderful and so moving. What else can I say as I am truly taken aback by the beauty of this music.

[@bradleyevans2637]

Nice post. Both you and Rachmaninoff "got it." B :)

[@christineannemarsden]

I bought my green copy when I was 21 and finally got to sing the soprano part in Exeter Cathedral in 2005 as the setting sun streamed in through the rose window bathing me in light and warmth.

[@davidpender9093]

I loved this rendition of Serenade to Music because of the 16 solo voices. Other versions of this omitted the voices which I could never understand. There's an emptiness to it if performed that way.

[@birgitpfluegel8600]

So touching...no more words, better listen...thanks!!!...also for the Peak District impressions ....🕊

[@caydab1]

Something ... something about Vaughan-Williams. I am surprised by his tenderness and moved by his sometime ferocity. Thanks again for a wonderful post. Visuals as well. Bravo!

[@harpswellsound]

One of my favorite pieces and recordings, now coupled with your photos. Thank you. I still remember the first time I heard this, and the magic I felt. This was the loveliest of music, and I had to have it at my wedding in a rustic log church in the Adirondack Mountains. No one else was remotely familiar with the piece; except my mother's best friend, a soprano, who had chosen family life over a career at the Met. She approved the unconventional choice.

[@AntPDC]

What a lovely account HF, thank you. I've spent a decent amount of time in the Adirondacks and share your love of the range.

[@mikef5881]

What a fantastic choice you made for your wedding music! I too remember the first time I heard it - totally taken by it, at first hearing.

[@bronxboy47]

Rachmaninov was in the audience for the premiere of this work and was seen breaking down into tears.

[@AntPDC]

My apologies for the astronomically incorrect motion of the moons here. As an amateur astronomer, I should know better. Artistic licence ;)

[@charlespeterson4438]

You have showcased another one of RVW's exquisite gems. I find this piece transporting - mythic, a paeon to the deep mysteries of Nature. Your photography is as always a beautiful and fitting accompaniment.

[@AntPDC]

Most kind Charles, thank you. Little wonder that Rachmaninoff wept when he heard this for the first time.

[@stevendouglascarr5517]

I've loved this piece since I was a kid, particularly the instrumental version...

[@AndrewRudin]

No, no, no... W/o the words, in every way the equal of the music, the piece is largely pointless. I never understood why he even made the textless version.

[@fhbrown58]

As ever a perfect union of music and photos. The moon images particularly atmospheric. Thank you for giving me a short time of perfect tranquility.

[@AntPDC]

Thanks fh - the moon shots were tricky!

[@shin-i-chikozima]

It's really soothing to listen to his music. The melodies of his music are perfect for Japanese people FromTokyo

[@LiquidMindOfficial]

What a beautiful recording...thanks so much for sharing this. Your images add a layer of context that makes listening all the more meaningful. Thanks again, Anthony :)

[@AntPDC]

Agreed CW, it is a wonderful recording. At the hands of Sir Adrian Boult, ever a great conductor of British music, it couldn't go wrong.

[@kennethduckworth8100]

While the original scoring for 16 solo voices is the most beautiful version, I sang a version for four soloists, chorus and orchestra that is almost as lovely--and much more practical in most circumstances. It is really not difficult for, e.g., one alto to sing all four alto solos, because they occur in sequence. RVW just divided up a line to give each of his soloists something to sing. The opening and closing choral chords always give me goosebumps. Thank you for posting this.

[@fabbyclef7882]

Hello, our Music Magus Anthony. Hello, the beautiful Peak District spring, thank you greetings of March.

[@AntPDC]

Spring here has been delayed, alas: mountains of snow (by British standards at least)!

[@rcaughlan]

One of my favorite pieces of music with some beautiful visuals to accompany it. Congratulations and thanks!

[@rcaughlan]

When she hits that high note at the word harmony it always makes me cry.

[@grantyoungblood7895]

Thanks for posting this beautiful video, with one of my favorite pieces of music ever written.

[@AntPDC]

Thank you Grant. Stay safe!

[@WeemusStudio2017]

Beautiful home. Beautiful piece. Thank you for sharing.

[@julianheath2718]

Gorgeous visuals to go with a gorgeous piece of music.

[@kennethwebb6657]

2021 May 21 approaching midnight. What joy to find this recording and the way you have brought everything together in perfect harmony. I first heard this in my teens and could not stop listening to it; a lifetime on, I find that same sense of safety and peace within its score. My thanks indeed for all that you have done, for giving us all a wonderful glimpse of the Peak District and for the historical notes. Those, especially, I enjoyed reading. I came across a recording of that first concert in 1938 last year. I could not quite belief I was listening to the first performance, and as I studied the images of each performer, each soloist, I kept going back to my family's history in 1938 and trying to put the two together. Thanks again Anthony. Ken

[@MrSlowhandmac]

Thank you for uploading this marvellous recording. Beautiful images too. Just one thing... You left out Susan Longfield from the list of soloists. She sang Elsie Suddaby's part from both Sir Henry Wood's 1938 recording and Vaughan Williams' own 1951 recording :)

[@ahmedmajeed1336]

Thans alot for this beauty you made

[@AntPDC]

Thank you kindly Ahmed; I am very glad you enjoyed it. "This beauty you made": I have to admit that I was very touched indeed by your choice of words.

[@davidpender9093]

Some recordings of this beautiful work by RVW omitted the chorus from the piece. How revolting! You might as well omit the chorus from Beethoven's 9th if you're going to go that far.

[@BrucknerMotet]

I get that. I'd only heard Ravel's Daphnis et Chloé in the solely orchestral version. But when I heard a recording with the chorus, it was as if I had been listening to it in mono before, and now all of a sudden in stereo.

[@karldelavigne8134]

Vaughan Williams arranged several versions, including one without any voices.

[@alger3041]

​@@karldelavigne8134And the version for orchestra alone is slightly cut, which in itself would rule it out of any further consideration for me. consideration for

[@abyios]

for me, every Vauhan Williams music is a soundtrack to the Bible

[@mikef5881]

Wow! Simply incredible. Thanks for posting this absolute treasure - one that struck home the very first time I heard it many years ago. RVW is my favourite composer (something most of my friends don't really get - but that's okay, I suppose). By any chance, is this the EMI recording of the London Philharmonic conducted by Sir Adrian Boult? That was the first version that I bought - since then I've also acquired the Dutton recording of Sir Henry Wood's restaged original with the 16 specified soloists, done just a few weeks after the premiere.

[@AntPDC]

All in the Description Mike :)

[@mikef5881]

I forgot to click "show more"! By the way, your work is astounding. Thanks so much for providing this resource - and for introducing us to less well-known works of this Master.

[@innovacionganadera5217]

AYUDAMOS A QUE ESPAÑA AVANCE, EN ESTOS TIEMPOS EN LOS QUE TODOS DEBEMOS ARRIMAR EL HOMBRO

[@warrenstutely7151]

It would be nice to know who are the singers in this version. Thanks. Warren

[@innovacionganadera5217]

En tiempos de COVID bajamos precios no prestaciones

[@mariorossi9655]

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