A London Symphony (Symphony No. 2)
Ralph Vaughan Williams
Work background
Researched classical background
Vaughan Williams developed A London Symphony with encouragement from George Butterworth, to whose memory it was later dedicated. Westminster chimes and street sounds are woven into a four-movement orchestral design. The original score was lost after being sent to Germany, and the composer reconstructed and repeatedly revised the work, including substantial changes to its final epilogue.
Inspiration and creative background
The work draws on sounds and scenes of London; the composer also connected its epilogue with H. G. Wells's Tono-Bungay.
Los Angeles Philharmonic: A London Symphony
London images, lost score, revisions and dedication | Reviewed 2026-10-19
A listening guide
Hear the Westminster chimes within the opening and closing pages.
Listening suggestions are editorial guides to the music.
Forces: Orchestra
Composition: 1911-1913
Original composition 1911-13; revisions followed in 1918, 1920 and 1933.
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: London Symphony
Date, title and version notes
The 1913, intermediate and final versions differ substantially.
Los Angeles Philharmonic: A London Symphony
London images, lost score, revisions and dedication | Reviewed 2026-10-19
Ralph Vaughan Williams Society: list of works
Composition and revision dates, scoring and authorized titles | Reviewed 2026-10-19
Sources for this work
Los Angeles Philharmonic: A London Symphony
London images, lost score, revisions and dedication | Reviewed 2026-10-19
Ralph Vaughan Williams Society: list of works
Composition and revision dates, scoring and authorized titles | Reviewed 2026-10-19
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