Letter from Ralph Vaughan Williams to Grace Williams

Letter No. VWL3876

Letter from Ralph Vaughan Williams to Grace Williams

Letter No.: VWL3876

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

[Late February 1936]

Dear Grace
I listened to your Elegy – (I had already heard the rehearsal of it for Idris’ concert¹
I liked it – well written & not smart or brilliant
Betty’s 4^tet is fine²
I hope to go to Dorothy’s oboe 5^tet on the 13^th³
Love from Uncle Ralph

– come & see me at RCM⁴ one day

1. Elegy for string orchestra, conducted by Idris Lewis, musical director of the Welsh Symphony Orchestra.
2. Elizabeth Maconchy – presumably her String quartet no.2, completed in 1936.
3. Dorothy Gow, Oboe quintet in one movement (1936).
4. Royal College of Music, where VW taught.

To:

Williams, Grace, 1906-1977
From:

Vaughan Williams, Ralph, 1872-1958
Scribe:

Vaughan Williams, Ralph, 1872-1958
Names:

Royal College of Music Lewis, Idris, 1889-1952
Subject:

Broadcasts Performance review
Musical Works:

Gow, Dorothy , 1893-1982. Oboe quintet in one movement Maconchy, Elizabeth, 1907-1994. Quartets, violins (2), viola, cello, no. 2 Williams, Grace, 1906-1977. Elegy for string orchestra
Format:

Letter
General Notes:

Williams’ Elegy for string orchestra was first broadcast on 25 February 1936.
Location Of Original:

Private collection
Location Of Copy:

British Library

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