Letter from Ralph Vaughan Williams to Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge

Letter No. VWL5120

Letter from Ralph Vaughan Williams to Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge

Letter No.: VWL5120

The White Gates,
Westcott Road,
Dorking.

December 18 [1932]

Dear Mrs Coolidge
I was very sorry not to see you again while I was in America. I hope very much one day to have the honour of writing a 4^tet for you – But I cannot do my best work if I tie myself down to dates – I feel sure you will understand this.
As to the ‘Tallis’ Fantasia I fear it would not arrange for string 4^tet as it stands.¹
Yours sincerely
R Vaughan Williams

1. Coolidge had sought to commission a quartet from VW; see VWL5119. In fact VW did not ever accept a commission from her.

To:

Coolidge, Elizabeth Sprague, 1864-1953
From:

Vaughan Williams, Ralph, 1872-1958
Scribe:

Vaughan Williams, Adeline, 1870-1951
Subject:

Composition Patronage
Musical Works:

Vaughan Williams, Ralph, 1872-1958. Fantasia on a theme by Thomas Tallis
Format:

Letter
General Notes:

In the hand of AVW, signed by VW.
Year added in another hand; VW had been in America in the autumn of 1932.
Location Of Original:

Library of Congress
Shelfmark:

Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge Foundation collection, 1894-1953, Box 101/25

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