Letter from Ralph Vaughan Williams to Iris Lemare
Letter No. VWL1128
Letter from Ralph Vaughan Williams to Iris Lemare
Letter No.: VWL1128
The White Gates
Dorking
[15 December 1933]
Dear Iris
Thankyou so much for writing – I am so glad they went well – & that all your & your singers labour was rewarded – you cd not expect an audience to take them in at 1st sight & as to the press they will not allow any one to be original – if it is English it has either to be like some well known source or if “modern” on the approved Central European lines.
New works ought really to be done twice at a 1st performance1
Love from
Uncle Ralph
1. Possibly refers to the first performance of Maconchy’s Two motets under the baton of Lemare on 11th December 1933 at the Ballet Club Theatre.
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General Notes:
Date from postmark on envelope (f. 46).
Lemare’s note: “Interesting – as it refers to the “first performance” syndrome – on which I think he felt strongly? As did Gerald Finzi”. VW’s 2nd String Quartet was played twice at its first performance at the National Gallery Concert on 12th October 1944. [No note attached to letter (or detached envelope)] -
Location Of Original:
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Shelfmark:Add MS 59814, ff. 44-46
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Location Of Copy:
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Shelfmark Copy:MS Mus. 288, f.27
