Centenary of an unique symphony

Last year marked the centenary of Ralph Vaughn Williams'  Symphony 3, subtitled "Pastoral" (1922), an unique piece in the symphonic world in that none of the 4 movements are fast or have overt rhythms. 

The four movements are:

1. Molto moderato

2. Lento moderato

3. Moderato pesante

4. Lento.

Even though it is called "Pastoral", it is actually a beautiful elegy for the dead of WW I, (in which the composer served in the Royal Army Medical Corps) & a meditation on the sounds of peace.

David Cox writes "The opening theme is harmonised in chords following the contours of the melody like Debussy." The listener is always aware of the impressionist nature of the music throughout the work. Constant Lambert writes of "The creation of a particular type of grey, reflective,  English landscape mood."

The symphony has a playing time of around 35 minutes & scored for a large orchestra & a wordless soprano in the final movement. Unfortunately it is the least performed of Vaughn Williams' symphonies.