Vaughan Williams: The Lark Ascending

'The silver chain of sound' .... surely one of the most uplifting delightful soundscapes of our countryside. The Skylark and a poem by 'George Meredith' inspired one of our best loved English pastoral classics. Originally composed 1914 by a much treasured musical icon of English music Vaughan Williams 1872-1958. Much influenced by English folksong noteably in the 'Fantasia on Greensleeves', his music is so deeply evocative of the English landscape. A landscape much beloved of the many artists, musicians and poets who so willingly took the King's shilling, taking up arms and sailing to France to protect all that was dear to them, Freedom, and also freedom to wander and to follow the winding rural paths across their beloved country. Although over military age he like poet Edward Thomas willingly served his country in WW1. The music was laid aside until 1920 when it was arranged for violin and orchestra and first performed the following year. The images on this video attempt to capture nature's essence imbued within the music. I hope you get something special from these landscapes, but the music itself never fails to move and raise the spirits just like the Lark's joyous 'sweet silvery chain of sound'...... there is sadness too for the many including writer and poet Edward Thomas and composer George Butterworth to name just two, who did not return...but we will remember them all! Recording on this video The Lark Ascending - BBC Sympony Orchestra under Andrew Davis