You've combined two of my favorite things- The Lord of the Rings and 'Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis', both of which I've loved since I was a teenager. I knew that Vaughan Williams and Tolkien lived around the same time, but it never occurred to me that they might have the same approach to their art, that is, to look backwards while making something entirely new. Thank you! The recording is lovely! I pulled out the good headphones and am listening to it right now.
Wonderful exploration of two artists marrying past and present in such inventive ways. I’m a new subscriber here, so thanks for running this piece again!
I’ve always meant to deepen my knowledge of Vaughan Williams’s music, so I’m thankful for the path of exploration you’ve outlined here. Back in my performance days, I had the chance to play his first two symphonies, which didn’t quite compel me to investigate the others. (My loss, indeed!)
Are the Previn/LSO albums you’ve included here your go-to recordings for the complete VW cycle?
Glad you enjoyed it! Yes, the Previn recordings are brilliant, but there are other great ones as well: Boult’s stereo cycle, Slatkin with the Philharmonia (if you can find them, since they are out of print and not currently streaming), and the recent cycle with Andrew Manze and the Royal Liverpool PO.
Very rich synthesis here of literary and musical analysis, with insight into what it may have meant to be modern in the early 20th Century -- responding artistically to modernity -- without necessarily being Modernist.
Thanks for reposting this, John - I loved the performance of Williams’s “Fantasia” on the Tallis theme, a video I did not expect to be watching on the Friday morning of a long week, but how beautiful it is, and how terrific are the connections you make between Williams and Tolkien 🙏🏽
If you write your Tolkien x Williams play, I may have to write my Arendt x McCarthy play, which I've dreamed of for years. Hannah Arendt and Mary McCarthy were best friends, sometimes frenemies. Oh, the conversations they had--and could have!
I have had a similar fantasy about putting together radical secularist Charles Bradlaugh with Charles Dickens. I can place them at a couple of events such as demonstrations in favor of the 1868 Reform Act, but I can't prove they spoke to each other. Similarly, Bradlaugh and John Stuart Mill both spoke on stage at a rally for Land Reform, but there's no record I've been able to find of them speaking to each other. One of the reasons my mind has been divided over whether to write Bradlaugh's story as a biography or as historical fiction.
You've combined two of my favorite things- The Lord of the Rings and 'Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis', both of which I've loved since I was a teenager. I knew that Vaughan Williams and Tolkien lived around the same time, but it never occurred to me that they might have the same approach to their art, that is, to look backwards while making something entirely new. Thank you! The recording is lovely! I pulled out the good headphones and am listening to it right now.
So happy that you enjoyed it--and I’m glad that you used the good headphones!
Wonderful exploration of two artists marrying past and present in such inventive ways. I’m a new subscriber here, so thanks for running this piece again!
I’ve always meant to deepen my knowledge of Vaughan Williams’s music, so I’m thankful for the path of exploration you’ve outlined here. Back in my performance days, I had the chance to play his first two symphonies, which didn’t quite compel me to investigate the others. (My loss, indeed!)
Are the Previn/LSO albums you’ve included here your go-to recordings for the complete VW cycle?
Glad you enjoyed it! Yes, the Previn recordings are brilliant, but there are other great ones as well: Boult’s stereo cycle, Slatkin with the Philharmonia (if you can find them, since they are out of print and not currently streaming), and the recent cycle with Andrew Manze and the Royal Liverpool PO.
Wonderful — thanks for the recommendations! Just saved the Previn and Manze cycles on Idagio. Looking forward to diving in.
Very rich synthesis here of literary and musical analysis, with insight into what it may have meant to be modern in the early 20th Century -- responding artistically to modernity -- without necessarily being Modernist.
Longtime fan of Tolkien but had never heard of Vaughn Williams. Appreciate the introduction and look forward to the play!
I’m always happy to evangelize for Vaughan Williams! Glad you enjoyed it.
Thanks for reposting this, John - I loved the performance of Williams’s “Fantasia” on the Tallis theme, a video I did not expect to be watching on the Friday morning of a long week, but how beautiful it is, and how terrific are the connections you make between Williams and Tolkien 🙏🏽
Glad you enjoyed the Vaughan Williams! It’s perfect for when you need a moment of peace.
If you write your Tolkien x Williams play, I may have to write my Arendt x McCarthy play, which I've dreamed of for years. Hannah Arendt and Mary McCarthy were best friends, sometimes frenemies. Oh, the conversations they had--and could have!
That would be delicious.
Vaughan Williams’ 5th symphony is a miracle for troubled times.
Thank you for this piece!
Agreed! It’s the RVW symphony that I listen to most often.
They would have a conversation about what it means to be English. In fact, I will write my short story on that tomorrow.
I’ll look forward to reading it!
They both serve in the war.
I have had a similar fantasy about putting together radical secularist Charles Bradlaugh with Charles Dickens. I can place them at a couple of events such as demonstrations in favor of the 1868 Reform Act, but I can't prove they spoke to each other. Similarly, Bradlaugh and John Stuart Mill both spoke on stage at a rally for Land Reform, but there's no record I've been able to find of them speaking to each other. One of the reasons my mind has been divided over whether to write Bradlaugh's story as a biography or as historical fiction.