Symphony no. 1, for soprano, baritone, chorus and orchestra, "A Sea Symphony"
A Sea Symphony is a work of just over an hour's length for soprano, baritone, chorus and large orchestra written by Ralph Vaughan Williams between 1903 and 1909. The first and longest of his nine symphonies, it was first performed at the Leeds Festival in 1910 with the composer conducting. It is one of the first symphonies in which a chorus is used throughout as an integral part of the texture and it helped set the stage for a new era of symphonic and choral music in Britain during the first half of the 20th century.
Movements
- I. A Song for All Seas, All Ships: Symphony no. 1, "A Sea Symphony": Ia. A Song for All Seas, All Ships: Behold, the sea itself
- I. A Song for All Seas, All Ships: Symphony no. 1, "A Sea Symphony": Ib. A Song for All Seas, All Ships: Today a rude brief recitative
- I. A Song for All Seas, All Ships: Symphony no. 1, "A Sea Symphony": Ic. A Song for All Seas, All Ships: Flaunt out, O sea, your separate flags of nations!
- I. A Song for All Seas, All Ships: Symphony no. 1, "A Sea Symphony": Id. A Song for All Seas, All Ships: Token of all brave captains
- I. A Song for All Seas, All Ships: Symphony no. 1, "A Sea Symphony": Ie. A Song for All Seas, All Ships: A pennant universal
- II. On the Beach at Night, Alone: Symphony no. 1, "A Sea Symphony": IIa. On the Beach at Night, Alone: On the beach at night, alone
- II. On the Beach at Night, Alone: Symphony no. 1, "A Sea Symphony": IIb. On the Beach at Night, Alone: A vast similitude interlocks all
- Symphony no. 1, "A Sea Symphony": III. Scherzo. The Waves
- Symphony no. 1, "A Sea Symphony": IV. The Explorers: Symphony no. 1, "A Sea Symphony": IVa. The Explorers: O vast Rondure, swimming in space
- Symphony no. 1, "A Sea Symphony": IV. The Explorers: Symphony no. 1, "A Sea Symphony": IVb. The Explorers: Down from the gardens of Asia descending
- Symphony no. 1, "A Sea Symphony": IV. The Explorers: Symphony no. 1, "A Sea Symphony": IVc. The Explorers: O we can wait no longer
- Symphony no. 1, "A Sea Symphony": IV. The Explorers: Symphony no. 1, "A Sea Symphony": IVd. The Explorers: O thou transcendent
- Symphony no. 1, "A Sea Symphony": IV. The Explorers: Symphony no. 1, "A Sea Symphony": IVe. The Explorers: Greater than stars or suns
- Symphony no. 1, "A Sea Symphony": IV. The Explorers: Symphony no. 1, "A Sea Symphony": IVf. The Explorers: Sail forth, steer for the deep waters only
- Symphony no. 1, "A Sea Symphony": IV. The Explorers: Symphony no. 1, "A Sea Symphony": IVg. The Explorers: O my brave Soul!
Recommended recordings
- London Philharmonic Orchestra · Adrian Boult YouTubeSpotify (subscription)
- London Symphony Orchestra · Bryden Thomson YouTubeSpotify (subscription)