THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

[5th February 1925]

Dear Dent

I’m sorry there has been any trouble – I wrote to Talich¹ as you suggested & received a v. nice letter from him saying he was willing (He c^d not see me) – The next thing I knew was a notice in the Times that a subscription was being got up to provide a British conductor for my work (rather as if I was a “deserving case”). On my protesting I was told by the secretary² that the matter rested entirely in their hands & if I really preferred a foreign conductor & w^d give my reasons (!) they w^d consider it.
So now I have told them they have got me (and you) into this mess & they must get us out again.
Yrs

RVW

P.S. I don’t think there is any good analysis of the P.S.³

1. Vaclav Talich, On this episode see R.V.W.: a biography pp.158-9. The performance in question was to be at the International Society for Contemporary Music Festival in Prague. Adrian Boult eventually conducted the work.
2. Of the British Music Society.
3. The Pastoral Symphony, Catalogue of Works 1921/13.