THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

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

[early 1946]

Dear Clive
Do you think it w^d 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 c^d do with a few less bars
I therefore suggest 24^th 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 w^d be confused to the 5th last bars of p265 & they w^d run off at (20) )
Then I would cut from (21) to 3^rd 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 26^th)¹
Yrs RVW

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