THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

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

Jan. 15th 1953

Dear Frank,¹

You may remember that I wrote a piece – “Prelude on an Old Carol Tune” for the Bristol BBC, and you kindly allowed them to copy the parts & perform it, without fee to you.²
Now, the Kings Lynn Festival want to do something new of mine, & I have suggested first public performance of this work. They have agreed – now how does the matter stand? Shall I tell Kings Lynn to borrow the score & parts from Bristol, or what shall be done. Perhaps you could advise me.³
Yours,

R. Vaughan Williams

1. Music Editor in succession to Norman Peterkin (1947); Head of Music from 1954 until his retirement in 1975.
2. See VWL2527 (especially note 2) and VWL2528 on this work (Catalogue of Works 1952/5).
3. The first public performance was indeed given at the King’s Lynn Festival on 31st July 1953 by the Boyd Neel Orchestra conducted by VW.