Vaughan williams composed his fantasia on a theme by thomas tallis in 1910 to great acclaim its a one movement piece for string orchestra based on a tune from the 16th century written by as the name of vws work suggests one thomas tallis tallis was a renaissance english composer who excelled in choral music. Selection of ralph vaughan williams best orchestral works except symphonies01five variants of dives lazarus 000002english folk song suite 1march 1. Almost 50 years since his passing the music of ralph vaughan williams continues to captivate audiences around the world evoking the sound and spirit of folksong and the image of rural landscape. Vaughan williams was the musical editor of the english hymnal of 1906 and the co editor with martin shaw of songs of praise of 1925 and the oxford book of carols of 1928 all in collaboration with percy dearmer in addition to arranging many pre existing hymn tunes and creating hymn tunes based on folk songs he wrote several original hymn tunes