Letter from Ralph Vaughan Williams to Ursula Wood
My Dear
I know you will forgive scrap paper. - I have been disgraceful not writing to thank you for the book (which I have read & don’t yet understand) & Foss which I have not yet had the courage to read.1 Also the poem, which I have read 2 or 3 times & cannot yet make up my mind about it.
I am lately back from a 2 hour passion rehearsal at Banstead (not much opportunity for passion as there was not a single pretty girl).
Take care of yourself my dear & listen to the Pastoral on Wed afternoon if you can.
Love
RVW
1. Hubert Foss published an article entitled ‘Vaughan Williams’ Symphonic Manner’ in The Listener, 5 March 1942, p. 317. It was written to in connexion with the broadcast of A Pastoral Symphony on the Home Service on 11 March referred to in the last paragraph.
Places:
Musical works:
Location of original letter:
The letter was written a few days before the broadcast referred to in the last paragraph, on the reverse of a letter from Oxford University Press to VW dated 17th February 1942.