THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

The White Gates
Dorking

May 5 [1946]

Dear Gerald

My committee believing as I do that a conductor as much as a tenor or a double bass is worthy of his hire wish with my complete concurrence to send you a small “expenses” fee.  This is merely a matter of our own conscience and has really nothing to do with you. My only trouble is that it is entirely inadequate – but I hope you will take the will for the deed – but of course it has nothing to do with our gratitude to you for your masterly conducting & a beautiful work¹
Yrs

RVW

1. VW had invited Finzi to conduct a concert at the Leith Hill Musical Festival on 4 May 1946 at which the tenor Bainbridge White sang Finzi’ s cantata Dies natalis.