THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

68B Belsize Park Gardens
London N.W.3.

16th December 1947

Dear Vaughan Williams,

I left the rehearsal of your new symphony¹ rather hurriedly because I would not have been able to talk to you. Although I had heard it twice before on the piano, and certainly excellently played, I never anticipated the overwhelming impression the real thing would make on me. I am sure, the new symphony is a great work of yours, and a great work of our time. To my mind it seems even to transcend your symphonies in F and D² both of which I am so terribly fond of.
My wife too was deeply impressed and wishes to thank you for having been given the opportunity to listen to this rehearsal.
Yours

Robert Müller-Hartmann

1.  The 6th. See RVW p.279.
2.  The 4th and 5th respectively.