RVW150

Celebrating Ralph Vaughan Williams 150 years after his birth.

In 2022-3 RVW150 celebrated Ralph Vaughan Williams with performances, recordings, new works and imaginative projects around the country (and beyond) to help widen our understanding of this many-faceted composer.

Get a taste of the celebrations with the small selection below.

Whoever thought Vaughan Williams a bit of a pastoral retrograde should hear this (Flos Campi)… it’s mad, bizarre and glorious. 

FIONA MADDOCKS, The Observer

Certain music is necessary at a certain time, and Vaughan Williams’s Fifth Symphony struck me as something we need to hear now. It has this incredible strength and serenity: a feeling of ‘this is what the world could be when we emerge from this’.

SIR SIMON RATTLE, conductor

There’s an emotional honesty to his writing. His language is one which can be appreciated on so many levels.

TASMIN LITTLE, violinist

Thank you so much to this wonderful forward thinking musical organisation without which new music activities in the U.K. would be substantially curtailed.  

DARRAGH MORGAN and MARY DULLEA, Fidelio Trio

RVW150 NEWS

RVW resources for Music Teachers

A new programme produced by the Music Teachers’ Association, has been set up to provide resources for teaching about the work of Ralph Vaughan Williams, from Early Years Foundation Stage through to Key Stage 5. Teaching resources are available completely free of charge to all schools and organisations running education projects and can be downloaded from the MTA.

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New window celebrating RVW unveiled

A newly commissioned stained glass window by artist Thomas Denny, celebrating the composer Ralph Vaughan Williams in the place of his birth, was unveiled at All Saints, Down Ampney.

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Today’s composers celebrate RVW

Throughout the 150th anniversary celebrations a special series of new works inspired by RVW’s music, ideas, or life, were performed round the country.

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News from the publishers

From the completion of a major unfinished score, to a composer’s cut of the 1948 film of Scott of the Antarctic, together with new editions, collections and orchestrations of well-loved pieces, RVW’s publishers continue to bring his work to new performers and audiences.

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From pub to pulpit

From Pub to Pulpit created different programmes for each venue, bringing to life the musical journey of folk songs RVW collected, and later ‘borrowed’ for hymns

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His music has an emotional honesty

‘A composer who believed that music should be felt, rather than described’

RVW 150 Ambassador, violinist Tasmin Little, on the enduring popularity of RVW’s music.

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#RVW150

Vaughan Williams Foundation

Booking is now open for Ralph and Ursula Vaughan Williams: A Love Story in Words and Music, with Katie Bray, mezzo, Kieran Rayner, baritone and pianist Nigel Foster. July 9, The Hub at St Mary’s, Lichfield. Details here 👇

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Vaughan Williams Foundation

Explore the work and life of Ralph Vaughan Williams in more detail, with our carefully curated collection of links to additional resources. 💻 Find them here 👇

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Vaughan Williams Foundation

⌛ Two days to go! This Friday sees the first of our three 2026 general funding application deadlines. Details via the VWF website.

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Vaughan Williams Foundation

This Friday! 🎶 A world premiere. A 25th anniversary. One unforgettable night. The New London Chamber Ensemble perform at Hay-on-Wye with a brilliant programme for wind quintet – including a brand-new work written especially for them. Presented by the Hay Music Trust, backed by the VWF.

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Vaughan Williams Foundation

Opportunity for composers! 🎼 @nonclsscl.bsky.social is looking for 4 UK-based composers with a unique artistic voice and development potential to join nonclassical AIR (artists in residence) in 2026. Details here 👇

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Music in the Round

TODAY: The violin soars melodiously above the rest of the quartet in the gorgeous arrangement of Vaughan Williams’ most popular work The Lark Ascending, which concludes this concert of English music from Ensemble 360. Tickets & more info: musicintheround.co.uk/whats-on/ #ThisIsChamberMusic

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Vaughan Williams Foundation

Don't miss the boat! ⛵ This Friday is our next general funding grant application deadline. 💻 Find out more about the type of projects we fund, and how to apply for support, via our website.

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Vaughan Williams Foundation

Our database of correspondence contains letters from Ralph Vaughan Williams, responses, and letters from both Adeline and Ursula Vaughan William. Find it here: vaughanwilliamsfoundation.org/discover/let…

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Vaughan Williams Foundation

Drift into the weekend with Vaughan Williams' Serenade to Music, performed by the Brandenburgischen Staatsorchesters Frankfurt, conducted by Howard Griffiths. Enjoy it here 👇

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Vaughan Williams Foundation

A 4⭐review for the Multitudes festival: Echoes of Hill and Horizon – Elgar and Vaughan Williams at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in London.

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