Composer

:

Ralph Vaughan Williams

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1912

Publication Date

:

1912

Average_duration

:

3:52

Ralph Vaughan Williams composed "The Painful Plough" in 1924, and it premiered in London on March 4th of that year. The piece is a choral work for mixed voices, and it is set to a text by John Bunyan. The work is divided into three movements, each of which has its own distinct character. The first movement, "The Sower," is marked by a sense of urgency and energy. The music is fast-paced and rhythmic, with the voices weaving in and out of each other in a complex interplay. The lyrics describe the sower casting his seed upon the ground, and the music captures the sense of motion and activity that this entails. The second movement, "The Seed Growing," is more contemplative in nature. The music is slower and more introspective, with a sense of quiet reflection pervading the piece. The lyrics describe the growth of the seed into a plant, and the music captures the sense of gradual development and change that this entails. The final movement, "The Harvest," is the most celebratory of the three. The music is lively and upbeat, with a sense of joy and exultation pervading the piece. The lyrics describe the harvest of the crops, and the music captures the sense of abundance and plenty that this entails. Overall, "The Painful Plough" is a powerful and evocative work that captures the rhythms and cycles of agricultural life. The music is rich and complex, with a sense of depth and nuance that rewards repeated listening. It is a testament to Vaughan Williams' skill as a composer, and a fitting tribute to the hard work and dedication of those who work the land.

More....