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Ralph Vaughan Williams’ In Windsor Forest is a five-movement cantata for SATB choir and orchestra (or piano and strings), adapted from his opera Sir John in Love. Based on Shakespeare’s The Merry Wives of Windsor, the work blends English folk elements with Vaughan Williams’ signature lush harmonies and spirited rhythms. The movements depict the play’s lively characters and settings, creating a rich choral showcase filled with wit, lyricism, and drama.

There are two common versions of In Windsor Forest: one with full orchestra and another with piano and string accompaniment. The orchestral version enhances the vibrant character of the music, emphasizing its sweeping melodies and rhythmic vitality. Meanwhile, the piano and strings arrangement offers a more intimate setting, highlighting the clarity of vocal lines and harmonic interplay. Both versions retain the cantata’s dynamic contrasts, from the robust drinking song in Jolly Rutterkin to the ethereal, haunting beauty of The Fairies’ Carol.

Throughout the cantata, Vaughan Williams’ mastery of choral writing is evident, particularly in the exhilarating counterpoint and modal harmonies that give the work its distinctly English character. Whether performed with full orchestra or a more chamber-like accompaniment, In Windsor Forest remains a delightful and accessible choral work, capturing the humor, romance, and magic of Shakespeare’s world.