THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

Dorking

Oct 20 [1942]

Dear Hubert

Thank you both for your friendship & your good wishes.
Thank you also very much for all you have done for me at the BBC.
I listened to everything – though sometimes I wish I had had the courage not to – I think I get more & more incompetent as a composer.  My later things seem to come off much worse than my earlier – so it is certainly time I retired.
Your extravagant praise alarmed me – & might cause the enemy to blaspheme – but thank you all the same, because I know you meant it.¹
Yrs with much Gratitude

R. Vaughan Williams

1. The BBC had asked Hubert Foss to organise a season of VW’s major works to celebrate his 70th birthday (see Kennedy, Works of Vaughan Williams, p.260), on account of Julian Herbage’s illness.  VW alludes to the Old testament 2 Samuel 12:14 ‘Howbeit because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme..’.