Donald Macleod and Ceri Owen discuss Vaughan Williams's two wives, and their vital contribution to his story.

In the week of the 150th anniversary of Vaughan Williams' birth, Donald Macleod revisits a series of conversations he recorded earlier in the year with leading authorities on the composer. Each day he explores a new area of Vaughan Williams' life and music; shedding light on his central role in Britain's musical story, his posthumous impact and how we respond to him today. Part of Radio 3’s ongoing season, “Vaughan Williams’ Today”, marking the composer's 150th anniversary year.

Today, Donald talks to Dr Ceri Owen, who offers a fresh fresh view of Vaughan Williams’ two wives – Adeline Fisher and Ursula Wood – their own creative lives, and their role in the composer’s success.

Sons of Light - III. The Messengers of Speech
Teresa Cahill, soprano
Bach Choir
Royal College of Music Chamber Choir
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Sir David Willcocks, conductor

Four Last Songs
Roderick Williams, baritone
Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra
Sir Andrew Davis, conductor

3 Impressions: II. The Solent
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
Paul Daniel, conductor

Let Beauty Awake; In dreams; Infinite Shining Heavens; Whither must I wander; Bright is the ring of words (Songs of Travel)
Bryn Terfel, bass-baritone
Malcolm Martineau, piano

Producer: Sam Phillips Show less