Rhosymedre
From Wind Repertory Project
Ralph Vaughan Williams (transcribed by Walter Beeler)
Contents |
General Info
Year: 1972
Duration: c. 4:00
Difficulty: IV (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: G. Schirmer
Cost: Score and Parts - $58.50 | Score Only: $7.50
Instrumentation
Full Score
Flute I-II
Oboe I-II
Bassoon I-II
Bb Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
Eb Alto Clarinet
Bb Bass Clarinet
Eb Contra-Alto Clarinet
Alto Sax I-II
Tenor Sax I-II
Baritone Sax
Cornet (in Bb) I-II-III
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III
Euphonium I-II
Tuba
String Bass (3-4 players preferred, doubles Contrabassoon part)
Timpani
Chimes (Tubular Bells)
Errata
None discovered thus far.
Program Notes
In 1920 Ralph Vaughan Williams composed three preludes for organ based on Welsh hymn tunes, a set that quickly established itself in the organ repertoire. Of the three, Rhosymedre, sometimes known as "Lovely," has become the most popular. The hymn tune used in this prelude was written by a 19th century Welsh composer, J.D. Edwards, and is a very simple melody made up almost entirely of scale tones and upbeat skips of a fourth. Yet, around this modest tune Vaughan Williams has constructed a piece of grand proportions, with a broad arc that soars with the gradual rise of the tune itself.
The hymn tune in long values is surrounded by a moving bass line and a treble obbligato in faster notes often characterized by descending sixths. Vaughan Williams has joined together hymn tune, bass, and obbligato in such a way as o create an exceedinly fresh and ingratiating tonal language, which seems all the more remarkable when one discovers from the score than there is scarcely an accidental in the entire piece.
Program Note by Walter Beeler.
Commercial Discography
State Ratings
- Florida: IV --- (The Florida Bandmasters Association denotes this as "significant literature.")
- South Carolina: V
- North Carolina: IV
- Texas: IV
Recent Performances
(To add performances, please join the WRP by contacting the webmaster)
Additional Works for Winds by this Composer
- English Folk Song Suite (1924)
- Norfolk Rhapsody (tr. Robert O'Brien) (1905)
- Overture to "The Wasps" (tr. Frank Hudson) (1909)
- Sea Songs (1925)
- Toccata Marziale (1924)
Additional Resources
None discovered thus far.
