John Barbirolli
The work was not written to commission, but Sir John Barbirolli, conductor-in-chief of the Hallé Orchestra, asked Vaughan Williams for a new piece, and the composer offered him the symphony. Conductor and orchestra gave the composer a private run-through of the work in February 1956, and the premiere was scheduled for Manchester in May. The composer inscribed the manuscript, "For Glorious John, with love and admiration from Ralph" and the published score is headed "Dedicated to Sir John Barbirolli".