THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

The White Gates,
Westcott Road,
Dorking.
 

[1932?]

Dearest Grace

Yes I do like it – & for the first time in my life I haven’t felt plunged in despair & wondering why I try to compose! – I feel I’ve done more what I wanted to do than ever before – though perhaps I have in a way not wanted to do so much
– Also I’ve solved to my satisfaction the problem of pfte & acc – I can’t stand ordinary concerto music all twiddly bits – also I like the slow movement (sorry!)
But I may be all wrong – & because you or any one else remembers bits it proves nothing – one allways¹ remembers the bad bits. Now enough about me.
I don’t think your cure for Andrews is the right one – it would ruin his music to my mind if he tried to tickle it up by making it ‘snappy’ –  it w^d be like lip stick on a nun. Of course his scoring has got to be competent & perhaps he still wants a surer touch – but that is a different thing.
Now about your tpt piece² – that fellow must take it out of his repertoire – w^d it not be a good thing to write a slow movement to go with it? E. Clark³ listened to it – & for good or ill he is a power – & professed himself pleased.
I saw Betty⁴ on Friday & she played her overture for the sketch – very good indeed – & ought to be “successful” – there were 2 workings out I thought might want cutting down a bit.
What a long letter
Love from Uncle Ralph

1. sic.
2. Movement (Concerto-Fantasia) for trumpet and chamber orchestra
3. The conductor Edward Clark.
4. Elizabeth Maconchy