Ralph Vaughan Williams
... to Trinity College. He had already decided to be a composer. At the same time the relationship with Adeline Fisher, an old schoolfriend, matured, and they married in 1897. At tht time Vaughan was 25 years old. In 1908 Vaughan Williams went to Paris to study with Maurice Ravel. During that time he developed his skills in orchestration and got a lighter and smoother style. In the beginning of the century Vaughan Williams began collecting English folksongs. Through this activity he integrated the essence of English folk music into his musical personality and in many ways it released his musical genius. During the First World War his work was almost laid aside. That was because he volunteered for active service and was stationed as an ambulance driver. But he was not completely musically idle. He organized the the men in his division into choirs and bands. From about 1920 to 1950 Williams was productive in many areas. Symphonic and vocal music were two of his favorite forms. He wrote music criticism and began composing music for films. The year 1951 was a sad year for Vaughan. On the 10th of May his wife Adeline died. But two years alter, at the age of 80, he marreid a second time. The new wife was Ursula Wood, an old friend. Even after turning 80, Vaughan Wil...