Letter from Ralph Vaughan Williams to Cuthbert Bates
The White Gates
Dorking
Dear Bates
I fear I have shot my bolt too soon as regards hymn tunes - so please apologise to your sister & explain
- As regards a Bach Cantata - What type of Cantata do you want
Big & Rumbustious
O light everlasting
Praise our God
or Instructive?
God's time is the best
Bide with us
or straightforward
Hold in remembrance
The sages of Sheba1
I am so glad to hear of your activities
Yrs
R Vaughan Williams
1. The six Bach cantatas listed as, respectively, BWV34, BWV11, BWV106, BWV6, BWV67 and BWV65.
Subjects:
Location of original letter:
Date estimated; after 1939 (when VW drops the "Mr" before Bates) and presumably before Bates started the Bach Choir in Bath in 1946.