In setting poems by the early 16^th century poet John Skelton to music, Vaughan Williams has created an energetic and entertaining work. Skeltons poems move from a bawdy sense of humour in ‘The Tunning of Elinor Rumming’ to a more gentle side in ‘Pretty Bess’ and ‘Jane Scroop’ giving Vaughan Williams plenty of scope to range from vibrant and boisterous music to more romantic and compassionate compositions.

The words for ‘The Bells’ owe more to the loose translation into Russian by Konstantin Balmont than the original poem by Edgar Allen Poe. Paradoxically, the piece is often sung from the English translation of Balmont’s translation!

The first piece, sub-titled ‘The Silver Sleigh Bells’, represents birth using rich harmonies delivered in an effervescent and joyous style.

This is followed by ‘The Mellow Wedding Bells’, which is the most beautiful of the four movements, recounting tales of passion and intimacy.

The third movement, ‘The Loud Alarum Bells’ portrays terror through grim singing from the chorus and a powerful climax of percussion. The mood is threatening and unsettled.

Finally, ‘The Mournful Iron Bells’ completes the work revealing death by way of dark and dissonant sounds, ending with music that is sad and warmly Romantic, reluctantly giving way to hope in the ‘quiet of the tomb’.