BBC Philharmonic | 26 February | Ralph Vaughan Williams

The BBC Philharmonic and the Hallé are teaming up to celebrate 150 years since the birth of Ralph Vaughan Williams – and tonight’s concert, the first in the series, looks at the composer through the prism of war. The poignant Pastoral Symphony reflects on the French fields where Vaughan Williams served in the Great War; while the 1943 Proms premiere of the glowing Fifth gave comfort at the height of the Second World War. Continuing the theme of innocence lost, Alessandro Fisher is our companion for a song cycle of poems from AE Housman’s A Shropshire Lad.

Vaughan Williams Pastoral Symphony (Symphony No. 3) Vaughan Williams On Wenlock Edge Vaughan Williams Symphony No. 5 in D major Alessandro Fisher tenor Mark Wigglesworth conductor This concert is part of Toward the Unknown Region – RVW150. To mark the 150th anniversary of the birth of Ralph Vaughan Williams, the BBC Philharmonic and the Hallé are joining forces to offer a unique Mancunian tribute - presenting a complete cycle of composer's symphonies.