Vaughan Williams first composed this work in 1914. The premiere of The Lark Ascending was delayed because of the outbreak of World War I, and so it did not take place until 1920.
The first version to be heard was for violin and piano; the orchestral premiere followed in 1921. On both occasions the violinist was Marie Hall, for whom Vaughan Williams composed it.
A review in The Times noted that the piece “showed serene disregard of the fashions of to-day or of yesterday. It dreams its way along in ‘many links without a break’… the music is that of the clean countryside, not of the sophisticated concert-room”.
Times have changed, and this work became a great favorite of the musical public. Here is violinist Nicola Benedetti to perform it for you:
