The Lark Ascending for Violin and Piano, IRV 38 [Alf:36-60710008]

Ralph Vaughan Williams, ever fond of poetry, found creative impetus for his beautiful romance THE LARK ASCENDING, IRV 38, in an 1881 poem by George Meredith. Marie Pauline Hall, to whom the work was dedicated, gave the first performance of the original violin and piano version, here presented in a Masters reprint edition, at Shirehampton Public Hall on December 15, 1920, beside pianist Geoffrey Mendham. After World War I, the composer expanded the work for soloist and full orchestra. This has become the version most familiar to listeners. The violin, lifting its silvery tones above the stage, captures the soaring nature of Meredith's couplet: "Till lost on his aerial rings/In light, and then the fancy sings." Reprint edition.