English Pastoralism in Ralph Vaughan Williams' Concerto for Oboe and Strings

Abstract

Few would dispute that the Ralph Vaughan Williams Concerto for Oboe and Strings (1944) belongs to the pastoral expressive genre. Fewer, however, are able to explain, in great detail, which characteristics make it pastoral. In this paper, I will focus on the historical contexts of pastoralism and stylistic inspirations that led to the creation of twentieth-century English pastoralism and describe and define how this term applies to music today. Through analysis of the of the Vaughan Williams Concerto, I will explain the pastoral details in the score, and with greater understanding of the cultural, historical, and theoretical contexts surrounding the English pastoral, my intent is to guide the reader toward richer experiences in listening to and performing this repertoire.