Ralph Vaughan Williams is one of the quintessential composers of what has been called the “English Pastoral Tradition” in music, often referring to works that express the beauty and harmony of man and nature in the countryside.

The great Austrian composer Gustav Mahler wrote substantial portions of some of his longest works while “on vacation”, or, rather, working holidays.

John Rittmeyer saw on a calendar that this is the birthday of Danish composer Carl Nielsen, born June 9th, 1865. So, not to neglect this important artist, he recalls the composer’s Third Symphony from 1911.