THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

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

Sunday [30th October 1949]

Dear Stanford Robinson

Thank you all 1000 times – Yourself, principals, orchestra & chorus – a fine performance – Please give my thanks to all & a lot for yourself¹ – There are one or two small criticisms which, as you asked for them, I give you.
(1)  Page 37 Piccolo not loud enough for me but as you know I am deaf & the listeners said it was all right
(2)  p 83.  John ‘I’ll fight and kill you so’ – This did not come over clearly & it is important
(3)  p 163 ballad seller ‘If you be away’ – too quick – it should be sung like a tune not a recitative.  I did not hear the bells enough – but other listeners say they were all right.
The orchestra is always a problem in radio especially 3rd programme – the strings are apt to get lost (This I think is unavoidable) & the voices too prominent – perhaps this cd be remedied. But these are small points in a fine performance  My love to Lorely – she was delightful²
Yrs

R Vaughan Williams

1.  The first of a series of six broadcast performances of Hugh the Drover (Catalogue of Works 1924/2) had been given the previous day – see VWL3143, footnote.
2.  Robinson’s second wife, soprano Lorely Dyer.