Symphony No. 7, Sinfonia Antartica
Ralph Vaughan Williams
Work background
Researched classical background
Vaughan Williams transformed material from his score for Scott of the Antarctic into a five-movement concert work. Wordless soprano and women's chorus join a large orchestra that includes organ, tuned percussion and a wind machine. The central Landscape movement gives the organ a conspicuous role. The symphony develops its own sequence from the film material rather than accompanying projected scenes.
Inspiration and creative background
The film Scott of the Antarctic and its expedition subject supplied the initial musical material.
The Orchestra Now: Sinfonia Antartica
1949-52 composition, film origin and five-movement structure | Reviewed 2026-10-19
A listening guide
Listen for the organ in Landscape and the wordless voices in the outer movements.
Listening suggestions are editorial guides to the music.
Forces: Large orchestra, organ, wind machine, soprano and women's chorus
Composition: 1949-1952
Concert symphony composed 1949-52; premiered in 1953.
This entry describes the musical work or cycle. Composition, premiere and publication dates describe different events. Performers and recordings can be explored through the external listening search.
Also known as: Sinfonia Antartica; Antarctic Symphony
The Orchestra Now: Sinfonia Antartica
1949-52 composition, film origin and five-movement structure | Reviewed 2026-10-19
British Library: Sinfonia Antartica manuscripts
1949-52 composition dates | Reviewed 2026-10-19
Sources for this work
The Orchestra Now: Sinfonia Antartica
1949-52 composition, film origin and five-movement structure | Reviewed 2026-10-19
British Library: Sinfonia Antartica manuscripts
1949-52 composition dates | Reviewed 2026-10-19
Browse by year
1960-2025. Each year contains 150 selections.