Vaughan Williams

by James Day

Revised and expanded, this book considers recent work on the life and music of this leading English composer. Day presents Vaughan Williams as a part of the great post-Romantic reactionary movement in the company of composers such as Debussy and Stravinsky. The author also demonstrates that
the circumstances of Vaughan Williams' life are reflected in his wide-ranging, powerful, and intense music.

Genres: Music, Biography

358 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1975

Reviews

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

This biography of British composer Ralph Vaughan Williams is on the old side, having been published in 1961, just three years after it's subject's death. It is a nice, solid overview of Vaughan Williams' life and work, with nice descriptions of his pieces and compositional technique. However, the book does partake of flaws characteristic of its era. Day is clearly coming from a perspective of the "great man" approach to history, and from a position of great admiration for his subject. Thus, Day takes pains to portray Vaughan Williams in the best light possible, and treats his personal life with almost a bit too much delicacy at times. This is a good introduction to Vaughan Williams, but I will also need to read a m,ore recent work to get a fuller picture.

[Max Gibson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first part of this book is phenomenal; especially if you love one of the greatest English composers : - Ralph Vaughan Williams. James Day provides a biography in the first part of the book, and then a study of works in the second; the second part can be a bit dull in comparison to the first.