Ralph Vaughan Williams
Ralph was born on October 12, 1872 in Down Ampney, England. He was a composer of symphonies, chamber music, opera, choral music, film scores, solo works, and several works for band. He devoted much of his time to folk song research. As a student he studies the piano and the violin. He studied under Charles Villiers Stanford at the Royal College of Music (RCM). When the WWI began he was 42, but he volunteered as a stretcher bearer. The following link is a fascinating video about Vaughan Williams' time at war and how it affected him as a composer.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpYiLctjp9E&feature=related
He later studied music and history at Trinity College, Cambridge before returning to RCM to study composition. A contemporary of his, Gustav Holst, assisted in the development of his work. Some of Vaughan Williams orchestral works show influence of his teacher for three months, Maurice Ravel. He eventually died August 26, 1958.
http://www.rvwsociety.com/.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ralph_Vaughan_Williams
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpYiLctjp9E&feature=related
He later studied music and history at Trinity College, Cambridge before returning to RCM to study composition. A contemporary of his, Gustav Holst, assisted in the development of his work. Some of Vaughan Williams orchestral works show influence of his teacher for three months, Maurice Ravel. He eventually died August 26, 1958.
http://www.rvwsociety.com/.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ralph_Vaughan_Williams
