Composer

:

Ralph Vaughan Williams

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Average_duration

:

4:27

Movement_count

:

2

Movement ....

Ralph Vaughan Williams composed "English Folksongs (2) for voice & violin" in 1924. The piece premiered on May 15, 1924, at the Aeolian Hall in London, with the composer himself on the violin and the renowned contralto singer, Kathleen Ferrier, on the vocals. The piece consists of two movements, both of which are arrangements of traditional English folk songs. The first movement, "The Dark-Eyed Sailor," is a haunting ballad that tells the story of a sailor who falls in love with a woman but must leave her to return to the sea. The second movement, "The Spring Time of the Year," is a lively dance tune that celebrates the arrival of spring. Vaughan Williams' arrangements of these folk songs are characterized by his use of modal harmonies and his incorporation of traditional English folk melodies. The violin and voice are treated as equal partners in the music, with the violin often taking on the role of a second voice. The vocal line is often ornamented with trills and other embellishments, adding to the folk-like quality of the music. Overall, "English Folksongs (2) for voice & violin" is a beautiful and evocative tribute to the rich tradition of English folk music. Vaughan Williams' arrangements capture the essence of these timeless songs while adding his own unique touch, making them accessible to a wider audience and ensuring their place in the canon of classical music.

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