In anticipation of an approaching major Serenade to Music survey...
Ralph Vaughan Williams himself said that his "fantasia on jig-rhythms for orchestra" The Running Set, a 'minor' work composed in 1933, is based on an old British folk dance whose original version has been lost forever. So, the composer gathered together four folk songs associated with the dance and wove them all together, creating this short orchestral piece - a genial quodlibet on English folk songs. The result is catchy and colourful, with (to my ears) something of RVW's tutor Ravel about its orchestration. An exciting whirl of activity ensues.
Good 'ol RVW!
No comments:
Post a Comment