THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

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

February 9th 1958

My dear Adrian,

I want to say, once again, that it was a fine performance of a fine work, played by a fine orchestra under a fine conductor.  I hope Tippet¹ was pleased – if he wasn’t, he ought to have been.² I hope last night was equally good.  I am very sorry I could not listen, because I had promised to go to Croydon.³
Our love to you both,

Ralph

1. sic.
2. VW had been to a rehearsal of Michael Tippett’s Second Symphony at the BBC’s studio at Maida Vale (see R.V.W.: a biography, p.388) but seems here to be reassuring Boult following the first performance on 5 February, when the orchestra broke down a short way into the first movement. Boult had turned to the audience, had accepted full responsibility and started again (ex inf. Oliver W. Neighbour who was present).
3. On Saturday 8 February VW had been to a performance, conducted by Myers Foggin, of his SATB arrangement of Hadley’s cantata Fen and Flood, his Sea Symphony and the first performance of A Choral Flourish – dedicated to Croydon Philharmonic’s founder and honorary musical director, Alan Kirby, who was also present – in the Civic Hall, Croydon. See R.V.W.: a biography. On the same day Boult conducted the Tippett symphony again for the Third Programme, but the other works in that concert differed from those given on the 5th. This is what RVW means by “I hope last night was equally good”.