THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

The White Gates,
Westcott Road,
Dorking.

[1930]

Dear Grace
I’ve read your long letter 3 times. I rejoice to think you are getting every moment of good out of your stay (this sounds priggish but you know what I mean)
I’m very sorry about one thing & that’s your 3^rd pianist
I was fearfully interested in all you tell me about Wellesz & all the schools & theories – but I can’t help feeling that it’s all wrong. I rather hate all this talk about tendencies etc – the best composer is the one who has the most beautiful melody, the strongest harmony, the most vital rhythm & the most convincing form – & nothing else matters
That’s why I think Dvorak is a greater composer than Berlioz – in spite of B “representing” this & that & the other & D. not having the mind to ‘represent’ anything – but Dvorak wrote heavenly tunes while Berlioz never wrote a tune that w^dnt make a cat laugh.
Bax’s new Symphony is superb – I quite agree with what you say about Mahler & Bruckner
I’m rather ashamed of my self that I never introduced you to the Schubert 5^tet – I though you knew it
Goodbye dear Grace – write again soon – I love your letters
Yrs
Uncle Ralph

I see you’re with Betty.¹ I’ve written to her – I feel so proud about you both

1. Elizabeth Maconchy, a fellow pupil of VW.