Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872 - 1958)
Vaughan Williams received his training from Hubert Parry and Charles Villiers Stanford, both composers influenced by Brahms. He graduated from Trinity College, Cambridge, in 1894 and studied composition with the two composers at the Royal College of Music, London, as well as organ and piano with several teachers. Although he also studied abroad with Max Bruch (1897-98) and Ravel (1909), his style remained individual and English. Receiving a Doctorate in Music from Cambridge in 1901, he was appointed organist at Lambeth and his interest in English folk music dates from his stay there. Vaughan Williams became enthralled with the English folk song (he was a major collector). Early Vaughan Williams works have their Brahmsian (and Wagnerian) moments, but in the early music that has survived, we hear something absolutely original and unique. Vaughan Williams was considered the outstanding composer of his generation in England.
Vaughan Williams fortunately could absorb from diverse sources -- including Stravinsky, Brahms, Parry, Debussy, Ravel, Bach, Byrd, and Hindemith -- and yet remain absolutely and recognizably himself. After a brief flirtation with French impressionism ("In the Fen Country," String Quartet No. 1) and some study with Ravel (who called him "the only pupil who does not write my music"), he hit the ground running with his incidental music to Aristophanes's "The Wasps," the song cycle "On Wenlock Edge," and the classic "Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis." These are where the real Vaughan Williams show. From here on, you can't mistake the voice.
Vaughan Williams composed extensively in almost every genre but chamber music. He is one of the great setters of English poetry, and vocal music comprises a large part of his output. Major works include "Five Mystical Songs," "Merciless Beauty," "Sancta Civitas," "Serenade to Music," "Hodie," "10...