Archive item of the month: October 2022

Ralph Vaughan Williams (Down Ampney, 12 October 1872 – London, 26 August 1958)

Just as at the recent funeral of Elizabeth II, where Ralph Vaughan Williams’ O Taste and See was performed, one of the works in the Coronation service of George VI, on Wednesday 12 May 1937, was also the work Vaughan Williams; Te Deum in F major. Upon the death of Edward Elgar in 1934 Vaughan Williams had been offered the post of Master of the King’s Musick which he declined; Henry Walford Davies (1869-1941), who succeeded Elgar in the post, invited Vaughan Williams to contribute to the ceremony. The music at the service was under the direction of Ernest Bullock (1890-1979) and Walford Davies, with the orchestra chosen from London’s various orchestras which was conducted by Adrian Boult (1889-1983). 

Orchestra at The Coronation of Their Majesties King George VI and Queen Elizabeth

Vaughan Williams’s Te Deum was founded on traditional themes. Two days after the coronation, Adeline Vaughan Williams (1870-1951) wrote to Joyce Finzi (1907-1991, wife of the composer Gerald Finzi) “I’m so glad you liked the Te Deum.  Ralph was in the Abbey & enjoyed the ceremonial tremendously”.

Caricature of Ralph Vaughan Williams in black ink, highlighted with white chalk, on brown paper mounted on card; signed “W”. From “The “W” Series, Group II” by W. Barton Wilkinson (fl.1915-ca 1920).  Donated by John Mundy (August, 1970) to whom it had been given by Frank Tours in 1936. 

Further reading: 

Michael Kenney, The Works of Ralph Vaughan Williams (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1992), p.255, etc. 

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