Ralph Vaughan Williams and Gustav Holst

Description

The composers Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872–1958) and Gustav Holst (1874–1934) first met in 1895, and formed what would become a lifelong friendship.

The programme for the 1921 Three Choirs Festival, which was held in Hereford, featured the music of both composers.  Vaughan Williams conducted the Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis for string orchestra, while Host conducted his The Hymn of Jesus for choir and orchestra, a work dedicated to Vaughan Williams.

After the festival they went on holiday together and undertook long walks in the Herefordshire countryside that would sometimes extend for more than ten miles. Holst himself was a passionate rambler throughout his life. These photos were taken during one such walk in the Malvern Hills by fellow composer W.G. Whittaker.