Symphony no. 3, for soprano or tenor and orchestra, "Pastoral"
Ralph Vaughan Williams's third symphony, published as A Pastoral Symphony and not formally numbered until later, was completed in 1922. Vaughan Williams's inspiration to write this symphony came during his military service during the First World War after hearing a bugler practising: this ultimately led to the trumpet cadenza in the second movement. The work has gained the reputation of being a subtly beautiful elegy for the dead of the World War and a meditation on the sounds of peace. Like many of the composer's works, the Pastoral Symphony is not programmatic, but its spirit is evocative.
Movements
- Symphony no. 3, “A Pastoral Symphony”: I. Molto moderato
- Symphony no. 3, “A Pastoral Symphony”: II. Lento moderato
- Symphony no. 3, “A Pastoral Symphony”: III. Moderato pesante - Presto
- Symphony no. 3, “A Pastoral Symphony”: IV. Lento - Moderato maestoso
Recommended recordings
- London Philharmonic Orchestra · Adrian Boult YouTubeSpotify (subscription)
- London Symphony Orchestra · Bryden Thomson YouTubeSpotify (subscription)