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 âtry his handâ at composing for film in the 1940s not least because he thought it would fulfil his need to play a âuseful roleâ during the war years. He wrote his first score for Powell and Pressburgerâs propaganda 1941 film âThe 49th Parallelâ and went on to score another ten films, including the celebrated and ambitious âScott of the Antarcticâ. 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 yearâs Vaughan Williams anniversary, Matthew Sweet examines the composerâs personal philosophy on music for film. He features key music moments from the rich legacy the composer left the cinema, considers VWâs 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 composerâs music for the cinema.
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Music Played
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Ralph Vaughan Williams
The Story of a Flemish Farm "VII. The Wanderings of the Flag"
Orchestra: RTĂ Concert Orchestra. Conductor: Andrew Penny.- Vaughan Williams: Film Music Classics.
- Naxos.
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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.
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Ralph Vaughan Williams
The People's Land "Suite"
Orchestra: ±«Óătv Philharmonic. Conductor: Rumon Gamba.- The Film Music of Ralph Vaughan Williams, Volume 1.
- Chandos.
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Ralph Vaughan Williams
The Dim Little Island "Five Variants on Dives and Lazarus"
Orchestra: City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Norman Del Mar.- EMI.
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Ralph Vaughan Williams
Stricken Peninsula "Stricken Peninsula"
Music Arranger: Philip Lane. Orchestra: ±«Óătv Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Martyn Brabbins.- Ralph Vaughan Williams: Discoveries.
- Albion.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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±«Óătv Radio 3
Moon River: The story of the 1962 Oscars Best Song winner
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Sound of Cinema
Matthew Sweet's weekly look at music for the screen