jmc's classics
Ralph Vaughn-Williams was reportedly Frank Sinatra's Favorite composer. I like some of Frank Sinatra's music especially his version of The Lord's Prayer.
Vaughn-Williams was an English composer born in 1872 and died in 1958. He was also a conductor. I have a recording of him conducting J.S. Bach's St. Matthew's Passion in English. He wrote music based on English folk songs and melodies. He may be best remembered for his Fantasy on Greens Sleeves. Of which the popular Christmas Carol "What Child is this?" and the them from the TV show "Lassie" are based. I barely remember that show. The other composition of his was "The Lark Ascending" for Violin and Orchestra. He also wrote nine symphonies, one each concerto for violin, oboe and harmonica. He also wrote various chamber music including two string quartets and a string quintet. Three of his symphonies: the Third, Seventh and Ninth also have choral sections. I have CDs of his Second and Fifth Symphonies are both with Andre Previn and the Royal Philharmonic on the Telarc label. The second is coupled with The Lark Ascending with Barry Griffiths on the violin, The Fifth is coupled with Fantasia of Thomas Tallis. I have a CD of the Sixth and Ninth Symphonies also with Andre Previn but this time conducting the London Symphony Orchestra on the RCA label. I recommend all three CDs. I have a CD of some of his Chamber Music with various artists on the EMI label. Thomas Tallis (1505-1585) was an English composer who was instrumental in the development of English choral music. I am not as familiar with his works or music from the Pre-Baroque era. He also wrote film music like many of his British contemporaries among them was "The 49th parallel" and "Scott of the Antarctic" which is based on Captain Robert Scott's ill fated voyage to the Antarctic. I am not in to British films. I am not much in to Frank Sinatra. He is an American Icon. He was married four times. Among his wives were Mia Farrow who was 30 years his junior and to Ava Gardener.
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