Ralph Williams

English Folk Songs

English Folk Songs (excerpts) is a suite based on traditional English folk melodies, collected and harmonized by Ralph Vaughan Williams, a formative figure of the British musical renaissance of the 20th century. With great attachment to the musical heritage of his country, the composer preserved the originality and freshness of these songs and at the same time gave them a refined harmonic form. In John Glenesk Mortimer's arrangement, a selection of excerpts brings out the melodic richness, the different characters and the poetic simplicity of these folk tunes. By turns pastoral, dance-like or quietly nostalgic, the music evokes images of the green landscapes of England and rural life in times gone by. The elegant writing preserves the modal character and original melodic lines, complemented by subtle tonal colors and dynamic contrasts. This accessible and expressive work captivates with its sincerity and timeless charm and invites you on a musical journey into the heart of English folk music.