Events, publications and commemorations

The BBC Philharmonic and Hallé Orchestra kick things off on February 26 with a performance of the Pastoral Symphony, On Wenlock Edge and Symphony No 5 in

D Major, the first of many in Manchester, and the BBC Symphony Orchestra begins a series of London performances at the Barbican on March 11. Various other orchestras will perform at venues and festivals across Britain throughout the year. Visit https://rvwsociety.com for full details of these and international concerts.

A new stained-glass window by Tom Denny will be unveiled in the church at Down Ampney, the Gloucestershire village where Vaughan Williams was born and where a number of celebratory events will be held, in October (www.ampneychurches.info). An online event will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the first performance of the Pastoral Symphony and there will be a public performance of a new work commissioned especially by the RVW Society from composer Ian Venables.

Fans can also immerse themselves in two new publications: a book by Stephen Connock, The Edge of Beyond—ralph Vaughan Williams in the First World War (Albion Music, £25), which explores the impact of the conflict on the composer; and a special collectors’ edition of Choir & Organ magazine, Vaughan Williams: A 150th-anniversary celebration (£14.99 with a free CD; www.magsubscriptions.com), is also available, drawing from the society’s archives, with in-depth features and a listening guide inspired by the composer’s ‘multi-faceted personality and style’.