Vaughan Williams' first effort in the symphonic form had a relatively long incubation period - from 1903-1909. With text assembled from Walt Whitman's "Leaves of Grass", the work is scored for soprano and baritone soli, mixed chorus and large orchestra. With an average duration of 70 minutes, it is one of the longer pieces in the symphonic repertoire. The work's received its premiere under the composer's baton at the Leeds Festival on October 12, 1910 - Vaughan Williams' 38th birthday.