Ralph Vaughan Williams

The Piano Quintet in C is a substantial and superbly written work lasting some 30 minutes. The first movement marked Allegro con fuoco is expansive loquacious and filled with late romantic passion its harmonies Brahmsian for the most part but tinged with modality in the quieter passages. The expressive romantic melody of the Andante second movement is fully characteristic of the composer and resembles the song Silent Noon that he composed in the same year. The finale is a set of five well-differentiated variations ending with a beautiful bell-like coda. This work was written in 1903.

Recently discovered among the composer's papers these three short pieces extend the idioms of the major works into the intimate world of the keyboard. The first piece is a study in sarabande rhythm; the second Molto lento a frosty evocation of Winter. A rousing Pezzo ostinato - a favourite form completes the collection. Performers of intermediate grade and beyond will relish the chance to play music by arguably our greatest composer who wrote sparingly yet discerningly for the piano.

from Songs of Travel-THE VAGABONDMedium High VoiceComposer: Ralph Vaughan WilliamsWords by Robert Louis Stevenson. For voice and piano in C minor.8 pages

In the 50th anniversary year of the death of Ralph Vaughan Williams this highly attractive arrangement for piano of one of his most popular works will surely find its way into the repertoire of many pianists.Treasured by organists but no less admired in its orchestral arrangement often heard on Classic FM this delightful prelude on the Welsh hymn tune known as Rhosymedre is a perfect union of the style of Bach and RVW. No less aptly known by the name of ‘Lovely’ the tune appears in the manner of a choral prelude which Bryan Kelly has skilfully re-crafted for piano solo.Of intermediate difficulty and well within the range of players of Grade 5 standard orabove this new version of the piece also complements the arrangement for piano duet by Reginald Hadfield already available in Stainer & Bell’s Easy Festival Duet series.

A selection of some less known folk songs volume 2. Arranged by Cecil Sharp and Ralph Vaughan Williams. Compiled by Cyril Winn. Piano edition.

Silent Noon arranged in the key of D Flat for voice and piano. Sonnet by Dante Gabriel Rossetti music by Vaughan Williams.

Silent Noon arranged in the key of F for voice and piano. Sonnet by Dante Gabriel Rossetti music by Vaughan Williams.