Vaughan Williams on Music

This book makes a substantial collection of Vaughan Williams's writings widely available to music lovers, students, and researchers alike. It comprises 102 items written by the composer between 1897 and the year of his death, 1958, including articles for musical magazines, transcripts of broadcasts, obituary notices and program notes. The great majority of items in this anthology have been unavailable since their initial publication, some have never been published, and very few have been reprinted. Vaughan Williams reveals the many roles he played during his life in the pages of this book: he was an active supporter of amateur music-makers, a leader in the folksong revival, educator, performer, campaigner for English music, and polemicist. Through all these perspectives, the words are unmistakably those of a composer who came to believe it his duty to build an active and cohesive musical community within his native country.

David Manning is a Teaching Fellow in Music at the University of Bristol.