THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

From R. Vaughan Williams,
10, Hanover Terrace,
Regents Park,
London, N.W.1.

December 9th 1956.

Dear Rutland,

First, I am so glad to hear about the copies of your operas.  Also, thank you for all you say about my number 8.¹
I feel much touched at your taking the trouble to explain your new position to me.  It seems to me that all right minded people are communists, as far as the word means that everything should be done eventually for the common good.  But communism has got to mean now so much more other than that, which I, for one, cannot subscribe to.  Myself, I see no reason why the Russian atrocities should prevent your remaining a communist in the ideal sense of the word.  The Russians are a strange mixture of artistic ideals and barbarism, and the barbarians seem to come out top, whether they call themselves Czarists, Karenskiists or Stalinists.
I hope we shall soon meet again
Love to both of you from us both

Ralph Vaughan Williams

1. Symphony no.8