Symphony No. 6 (Vaughan Williams)

Ralph Vaughan Williams composed his Sixth Symphony (published, unnumbered, as his Symphony in E minor) between 1944 and 1947. It is a purely orchestral work, with the conventional four movements, but the orchestration adds a saxophone to the customary woodwind instruments. Many listeners, including some prominent music critics, felt that the work had a hidden programme, possibly connected with desolation after a nuclear war, but the composer maintained that it was to be regarded as absolute music.

The symphony was first performed on 21 April 1948 and within two years it had received a hundred performances, including the American, Australian, French, German and Italian premieres. The first recordings were made ten months after the first performance and the symphony has received numerous recordings subsequently.

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