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Vaughan Williams and film

As part of Radio 3's Vaughan Williams anniversary celebrations, Matthew Sweet looks back on the composer's attitude and response to film and film music.

Vaughan-Williams was very progressive and open minded with regard to the role of the film composer and the merit of the film score. He was keen to “try his hand” at composing for film in the 1940s not least because he thought it would fulfil his need to play a “useful role” during the war years. He wrote his first score for Powell and Pressburger’s propaganda 1941 film ‘The 49th Parallel’ and went on to score another ten films, including the celebrated and ambitious ‘Scott of the Antarctic’. At a time when writing music for film was regarded merely a serviceable and functional undertaking, Vaughan-Williams maintained a characteristic open mind. He considered the comparatively new art form to be rich with potential and could foresee a time when perhaps the symbiotic relationship between music and picture might be creatively and artistically enhanced. His score for Scott of the Antarctic went on to form the basis of his seventh symphony.

In this special edition of Sound of Cinema marking this year’s Vaughan Williams anniversary, Matthew Sweet examines the composer’s personal philosophy on music for film. He features key music moments from the rich legacy the composer left the cinema, considers VW’s decision making when matching music to image, and puts him in context with the work of his British contemporaries. The programme is rich in examples from the composer’s music for the cinema.

Available now

23 minutes

Last on

Sat 15 Oct 2022 15:00

Music Played

  • Ralph Vaughan Williams

    Scott of the Antarctic "Ice Floes"

    Performer: Christopher Nickol. Orchestra: Royal Scottish National Orchestra. Conductor: Martin Yates.
    • Scott Of The Antarctic: The Complete Score.
    • Dutton Epoch.
  • Ralph Vaughan Williams

    The 49th Parallel "Prelude - Closing Titles"

    Orchestra: ±«Óătv Philharmonic. Conductor: John Wilson.
    • The Film Music of Ralph Vaughan Williams, Volume 2.
    • Chandos.
    • 16.
  • Ralph Vaughan Williams

    Coastal Command "IV. Taking-off at Night"

    Orchestra: ±«Óătv Philharmonic. Conductor: Rumon Gamba.
    • The Film Music of Ralph Vaughan Williams, Volume 1.
    • Chandos.
    • 22.
  • Ralph Vaughan Williams

    The Story of a Flemish Farm "VII. The Wanderings of the Flag"

    Orchestra: RTÉ Concert Orchestra. Conductor: Andrew Penny.
    • Vaughan Williams: Film Music Classics.
    • Naxos.
  • Arthur Benjamin

    The Man Who Knew Too Much "Storm Clouds Cantata"

    Performer: Rob Court. Music Arranger: Philip Lane. Singer: Abigail Sara. Choir: CĂŽr Caerdydd. Orchestra: ±«Óătv National Orchestra of Wales. Conductor: Adrian Partington. Conductor: Gwawr Owen.
    • The Film Music of Arthur Benjamin & Leighton Lucas.
    • Chandos.
  • Ralph Vaughan Williams

    The People's Land "Suite"

    Orchestra: ±«Óătv Philharmonic. Conductor: Rumon Gamba.
    • The Film Music of Ralph Vaughan Williams, Volume 1.
    • Chandos.
  • Ralph Vaughan Williams

    The Dim Little Island "Five Variants on Dives and Lazarus"

    Orchestra: City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Norman Del Mar.
    • EMI.
  • Ralph Vaughan Williams

    Stricken Peninsula "Stricken Peninsula"

    Music Arranger: Philip Lane. Orchestra: ±«Óătv Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Martyn Brabbins.
    • Ralph Vaughan Williams: Discoveries.
    • Albion.
  • Ralph Vaughan Williams

    The Loves of Joanna Godden "Incidental Music"

    Orchestra: Philharmonia Orchestra Ernest Irving. Conductor: Muir Mathieson.
    • British Movies Soundtracks (1937 - 1957).
    • Classic Soundtracks.
  • Ralph Vaughan Williams

    Scott of the Antarctic "Suite"

    Performer: Christopher Nickol. Singer: Ilona Domnich. Choir: Royal Scottish National Orchestra Chorus. Orchestra: Royal Scottish National Orchestra. Conductor: Martin Yates.
    • Scott Of The Antarctic: The Complete Score.
    • Dutton Epoch.
  • Ralph Vaughan Williams

    Bitter Springs "Round Up"

    Music Arranger: Stephen Hogger. Orchestra: ±«Óătv Philharmonic. Conductor: Rumon Gamba.
    • The Film Music of Ralph Vaughan Williams, Volume 3.
    • Chandos.
  • Ralph Vaughan Williams

    The England of Elizabeth "2. Poet"

    Music Arranger: Muir Mathieson. Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: André Previn.
    • Vaughan Williams: 3 Portraits from "The England of Elizabeth" & Symphony No. 9.
    • Sony Classical.

Broadcast

  • Sat 15 Oct 2022 15:00

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