Composer

:

Ralph Vaughan Williams

Genre

:

Orchestral

Style

:

Theme & Variations

Compose Date

:

1939

Average_duration

:

11:24

Movement_count

:

6

Movement ....

Ralph Vaughan Williams composed "Variants (5) of 'Dives and Lazarus'" in 1939. The piece was premiered on October 5, 1940, by the BBC Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Adrian Boult. The work is based on the English folk tune "Dives and Lazarus," which tells the story of a rich man who refuses to help a poor beggar named Lazarus and is subsequently punished in the afterlife. The piece is divided into five movements, each of which presents a different variation on the original folk tune. The first movement is a simple statement of the melody, played by the strings. The second movement features a solo clarinet playing a mournful variation on the tune, accompanied by the harp. The third movement is a lively scherzo, with the tune played by the woodwinds and the strings providing a rhythmic accompaniment. The fourth movement is a slow and somber variation, with the tune played by the brass and the strings providing a mournful counterpoint. The final movement is a triumphant and joyful variation, with the tune played by the full orchestra in a grand and celebratory manner. One of the characteristics of "Variants (5) of 'Dives and Lazarus'" is its use of English folk music as source material. Vaughan Williams was a collector of folk songs and often incorporated them into his compositions. The piece also showcases Vaughan Williams' skill as an orchestrator, with each movement featuring a different combination of instruments and textures. The work is notable for its emotional range, moving from mournful and somber to lively and celebratory. Overall, "Variants (5) of 'Dives and Lazarus'" is a powerful and evocative work that showcases Vaughan Williams' unique musical voice.

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