Soul Music Vaughan Williams' Fantasia on a Theme, by Thomas Tallis
Sep 15, 2009
In this conversation, Rolf Jordan, Secretary of the Ivor Gurney Society, shares how Vaughan Williams' Tallis Fantasia became a source of emotional support for him as an artist. Harry Atterbury reminisces about WWII, revealing how the piece connected him to his childhood evacuation memories and solidified his passion for music. Peter Phillips, Director of the Tallis Scholars, provides fascinating insights into the historical significance of the Fantasia and its role in shaping English music identity. Together, their stories showcase the transformative power of this iconic composition.
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Childhood Awakening To Music
- Ian Clark recalls hearing the Fantasia at age nine in bed and being overwhelmed by its sound.
- He says the music felt as if it started inside his body and shaped his future musical life.
A New Purely English Voice
- EM Marshall describes the Fantasia as a unique blend of Tudor and modern elements that created a purely English voice.
- She argues the piece removed foreign influences and pointed the way for future English music.
Music As Emotional Anchor
- Rolf Jordan describes listening to the Fantasia during a low point and finding a deep inner solidity.
- He compares that feeling to standing in Gloucester Cathedral among great pillars and receiving support for his art.