Saturday Morning Classic: Five Variants of Dives and Lazarus




Before we get to Advent tomorrow, here's one of my favorite pieces: Ralph Vaughn Williams' Five Variants of Dives and Lazarus, played by the Camerata Chicago.

This piece was composed for the 1939 World's Fair in New York and made its debut at Carnegie Hall, played by the New York Philharmonic, conducted by Sir Adrian Boult.

The first variant some of us know as the tune Kingsfold, which was adapted by Vaughn Williams for a couple of hymns. The one I like best begins "When Jesus left his Father's throne, he chose an humble birth... " So it seems like a good lead-in to Advent.

May your preparations for that holy season be blessed.






Comments

Ray Barnes said…
Thanks for that Penny. I love Vaughan Williams and once had the great experience of singing (one of a chorus that is), his "Towards the Unknown Region", which was conducted by Adrian Boult.
The Lark ascending is something I have chosen to be played at my funeral, though my all-time favourite is "Job".
Once again, thanks for the chance to hear this, it took my mind off my eczema for a while.
Cynthia Hallas said…
Thank you Penny. A favorite composition from a favorite composer. I especially like the fugue toward the end. Great hymn tune, as well.
Wow, Ray, that must have been fantastic to sing with Boult! I'm sorry to hear you're still itching but glad to provide a little relief.
Bill Bynum said…
I agree with you, Penny. Ralph Vaughan Williams is hard to beat.
Thanks, Cynthia! There's always much to like about a Vaughn Williams piece!