THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

Letter from Ralph Vaughan Williams to Clive Carey

Letter No. VWL4559

Letter from Ralph Vaughan Williams to Clive Carey

Letter No.: VWL4559


From R. Vaughan Williams,
The White Gates,
Westcott Road,
Dorking.

[early 1946]

Dear Clive
Do you think it wd be unsafe to make some cuts in that dance even now or at the last minute – If it is dangerous we must leave it – But I feel that Caius Slender & their fairies cannot hold so long a dance especially on that small stage.
Also the dance after their exit is too long
Also Fenton & Ann cd do with a few less bars
I therefore suggest 24th bar of (19) (6/8 bar) cut from end of page 265, to (20) on page 266
(The dance of the 2 men & the 2 fairies wd be confused to the 5th last bars of p265 & they wd run off at (20) )
Then I would cut from (21) to 3rd bar of (22) starting at

Perhaps this is all too difficult – But if you decide to do it could you
(1) Tell Robinson
(2) Ask Peart to mark it into the bow parts
(The last band rehearsal is on May 26th)1
Yrs RVW


1. Presumably should read March 26th, as the first performance was on April 4th.