Composer

:

Ralph Vaughan Williams

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

1921

Average_duration

:

1:55

"A Farmer's son so sweet" is a choral work composed by Ralph Vaughan Williams in 1929. The piece was premiered on October 16, 1929, at the Royal College of Music in London, conducted by the composer himself. The work is divided into three movements, each of which is based on a traditional English folk song. The first movement, "The Lover's Ghost," is a hauntingly beautiful setting of a ballad about a young woman who is visited by the ghost of her dead lover. The second movement, "The Sprig of Thyme," is a lively and energetic setting of a song about a young man who is courting a girl. The final movement, "John Barleycorn," is a rousing and celebratory setting of a song about the harvest. One of the characteristics of "A Farmer's son so sweet" is its use of traditional English folk songs. Vaughan Williams was a collector of folk songs and used them extensively in his compositions. In this work, he takes three well-known folk songs and sets them for choir and orchestra, creating a unique and powerful musical experience. Another characteristic of the work is its use of modal harmonies and melodies. Vaughan Williams was heavily influenced by the music of the English Renaissance, and his compositions often reflect this influence. In "A Farmer's son so sweet," he uses modal harmonies and melodies to create a sense of timelessness and connection to the past. Overall, "A Farmer's son so sweet" is a beautiful and powerful choral work that showcases Vaughan Williams' skill as a composer and his love for traditional English folk music. Its use of haunting melodies, modal harmonies, and celebratory rhythms make it a timeless masterpiece that continues to be performed and enjoyed by audiences around the world.

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