The Bacchae (Preview)

THE
VAUGHAN
WILLIAMS
COLLECTION
The Vaughan Williams Collection brings together a series of newly-edited
editions of his incidental music published by Promethean Editions.
Recognised as one of the major musical figures of his time, Ralph Vaughan
Williams began his career as a folk song collector, music editor of The English
Hymnal and founding conductor of the Leith Hill Festival, and went on to
generate a vast musical output that includes song settings, symphonies,
chamber music, opera and choral music.
Ralph Vaughan Williams’ incidental music for Gilbert Murray’s English
translation of Euripides’ The Bacchae is edited for orchestra by Alan Tongue.
Vaughan Williams was brought into the production of three Greek plays by the
dancer Isadora Duncan, with the public performance taking place at London’s
Royal Court Theatre on Friday 31 May 1912. A preview of the production,
appearing in The Globe, remarked of Vaughan Williams’ musical settings: “they
are an attempt at something new, and something which is neither German nor
French. This music is no experiment in style. It would seem, rather, as though
the composer had disclaimed all styles and all schools, and found direct
inspiration in the material of the poet’s inspiration, and the result is something
of undeniable beauty.”
The publisher gratefully acknowledges the support of
The Vaughan Williams Charitable Trust in the publication
of this edition.
ISMN 979-0-67452-292-2
Promethean Editions Limited
PO Box 10-143
Wellington 6143
New Zealand
www.prometheaneditions.com
Printed in New Zealand • PEV02 • PNY PREPEV02
Ralph Vaughan Williams Incidental music to The Bacchae PEV02