THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

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

May 25th 1952

Dictated

Dear Foote,

Herewith corrected proofs of the Oxford Elegy.
I should be glad if your reader would correct the words from the Oxford Book, but please keep the following deviations from the original text
Page 10  delete and before “That Sweet city”
  ”     ”     Summer – not June
Page 11  Today not tonight.
Page 13  Cumnor, not Cumner.
   ”   ”      Still waiting not and waiting.
Page 14  Cumnor, not Cumner
Page 18  Today – not tonight
Page 22  Add “the” between “have” & “gold”.

I hope you will be able to print the words separately at the beginning: I believe I sent you a copy. May I have another proof please?
Now for other points:-¹
The ‘Romance” is for Harmonica, accompanied by string orchestra and pianoforte.
As regards the key of “In Spring” D. would be better for community singing – on the other hand the song is quite unsuitable for Community singing.  I will abide by your advice in this matter.
Yours sincerely,

R. Vaughan Williams

1. These points are made in response to a letter to VW from Foote saying that the BBC wanted the full title of the Romance written for Larry Adler (Catalogue of Works 1951/4), suggesting that since it was scored for harmonica accompanied by strings and pianoforte the existing title of Romance ‘for harmonica and orchestra’ should be amended. OUP wanted to publish ‘In the spring’ (Catalogue of Works 1952/1) as a solo song and suggested they did so in the key of D.