Shakespeariana – XIX Greensleeves – X

Falstaff in Love

Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872 - 1958): Fantasia on Greensleeves for flute, harp and strings. Philadelphia Orchestra; conductor: Eugene Ormandy.

La Fantasia on Greensleeves è in realtà un arrangiamento, realizzato nel 1934 da Ralph Greaves con l’approvazione di Vaughan Williams, di un brano dell’opera Sir John in Love (1929), basata sulla commedia di Shakespeare Le allegre comari di Windsor. Utilizza non solo il ballad cui si allude nel titolo, ma anche una melodia tradizionale intitolata Lovely Joan, che Vaughan Williams aveva ascoltato nel Suffolk.

The Fantasia on Greensleeves is actually an arrangement, made in 1934 by Ralph Greaves with the approval of Vaughan Williams, of a piece from the opera Sir John in Love (1929), based on Shakespeare’s play The Merry Wives of Windsor. It uses not only the ballad alluded to in the title, but also a traditional tune called Lovely Joan, which Vaughan Williams heard in Suffolk.

English Folk Song Suite

 
Ralph Vaughan Williams (12 ottobre 1872 - 1958): English Folk Song Suite (1923), versione per orchestra sinfonica curata da Gordon Jacob nel 1924. Boston Pops Orchestra, dir. Arthur Fiedler.

  1. March – Seventeen Come Sunday: Allegro
  2. Intermezzo – My Bonny Boy: Andantino [3:34]
  3. March – Folk Songs from Somerset: Allegro [7:17]

On the Old 104th Psalm Tune

 
Ralph Vaughan Williams (12 ottobre 1872 - 1958): Fantasia (quasi variazione) on the Old 104th Psalm Tune per pianoforte, coro e orchestra (1950). John Hunt, pianoforte; Cornell A Capella Chorus e The Rochester Chamber Orchestra, dir. Robert Hull.

Perché le genti sono in tumulto e i popoli cospirano invano?

 
Thomas Tallis (c1505 - 1585): Why fum’th in fight? (Salmo 2:1-2), composto per il salterio dell’arcivescovo di Canterbury, Matthew Parker (1567). Theatre of Voices, dir. Paul Hillier.

Why fum’th in fight the Gentiles spite, in fury raging stout?
Why tak’th in hand the people fond, vain things to bring about?
The Kings arise, the Lords devise, in counsels met thereto,
against the Lord with false accord, against His Christ they go.


 
Ralph Vaughan Williams (12 ottobre 1872 - 1958): Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis per doppia orchestra d’archi (1910).
 

A London Symphony

 
Ralph Vaughan Williams (12 ottobre 1872 - 1958): Sinfonia n. 2 in sol maggiore, A London Symphony (1914). London Philharmonic Orchestra, dir. Bernard Haitink.

  1. Lento – Allegro risoluto
  2. Lento [15:20]
  3. Scherzo (Nocturne): Allegro vivace [27:30]
  4. Andante con moto – Maestoso alla marcia – Allegro [35:06]

RVW

Folk songs: 16. Bushes and Briars

 
Anonimo: Bushes and Briars, canto tradizionale inglese. Alfred Deller, controtenore; Desmond Dupré, liuto.
La «scoperta» di questo brano si deve a Ralph Vaughan Williams, che l’udì cantare da un pastore nell’Essex e ne pubblicò un arrangiamento per coro maschile a 4 voci a cappella nel 1908.

Through bushes and through briars,
I lately took my way;
All for to hear the small birds sing,
And the lambs to skip and play.

I overheard my own true love,
Her voice it was so clear;
Long time I have been waiting
For the coming of my dear.

Sometimes I am uneasy
And troubled in my mind;
Sometimes I think I’ll go to my love
And tell to him my mind.

And if I should go to my love,
My love he will say «Nay»;
If I show to him my boldness,
He’ll ne’er love me again.


 
L’arrangiamento di Vaughan Williams eseguito da The Gentlemen of St. John’s.