Who's behind the notes? Discover Ralph Vaughan Williams: Architect of English Musical Renaissance
Five Variants of 'Dives and Lazarus' is a work for string orchestra and harp by Ralph Vaughan Williams, composed in 1939. It is based on the folk ballad "Dives and Lazarus" which Vaughan Williams had collected himself in 1893. The piece presents five different treatments of the melody, showcasing Vaughan Williams' masterful orchestration and deep connection to English folk music traditions. It was commissioned by the British Council for the 1939 World's Fair in New York.