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Lesser-Known or

Infrequently-Performed

Choral Works of

Ralph Vaughan Williams

STEPHEN TOWN

n 2022 the music world has been celebrating the
150th anniversary of the birth of Ralph Vaughan
I Williams (b. October 12, 1872) with an explora-
tion of his works in various genres. This article will
focus on the choral music and those compositions with

an integral choral component, specifically a few of the
lesser-known or infrequently-performed selections, a
cappella or choral-orchestral in design. The latter are
available in alternate versions with keyboard or organ
1
accompaniments with or without strings (if engaging
a complete instrumental component is an impedi-
ment), though the original aural experience created by
the composer’s imaginatively conceived and carefully
wrought orchestration is changed considerably. Our
discussion will proceed from the shorter works, accom-
panied and unaccompanied, to the longer ones with
or without instrumental soloist: Three Choral Hymns;
The souls of the righteous; Valiant for Truth and A Vision
of Aeroplanes (two motets written for Harold Darke);
Benedicte and The Sons of Light (the former cantata-like,
the latter so designated); Flos Campi and The Fantasia on
the ‘Old 104th’ Psalm Tune (two works featuring virtuoso
instrumental soloists, although both have signifi cant
choral parts); and An Oxford Elegy (utilizing a speaker).
Vaughan Williams was involved in choral singing as
a composer, conductor, or participant throughout his
2
long life and he knew how to write arresting, challeng-
ing, and thrilling essays for amateurs and professionals
alike. Fortunately, the scores may be purchased, hired,
or obtained through university libraries or interlibrary
loan.

34 CHORAL JOURNAL September 2022 Volume 63 Number 2