World War I connections

Marking 100 years since the Battle of the Somme during World War I, Sir Mark Elder explores the effect the war had on music.

Butterworth was killed in August 1916, leaving behind tragically few compositions. His orchestral settings of A E Hausman’s poems were premiered by the LSO in 1913 and demonstrate the talent we lost. Both Vaughan Williams and Ravel were influenced by the war: Vaughan Williams’ ironic title describes the landscapes he encountered during his service; whilst Ravel’s work was commissioned by the pianist Paul Wittgenstein, who lost his right arm during the conflict.

Blog: Composers in World War I

Change of Soloist

Soprano soloist Elizabeth Watts is indisposed and has been forced to withdraw from the LSO’s performance of Vaughan Williams’ A Pastoral Symphony (Symphony No 3) on Thursday 28 April.

The LSO is extremely grateful to soprano Louise Alder for agreeing to step in at short notice. 

Posted Mon 25 Apr, Midday