RVW’s Letters

ABOUT THE LETTERS

Ralph Vaughan Williams’s correspondence - with his friends, family, pupils and fellow musicians - paints an intriguing portrait of the man, as well as providing fascinating insights into his major preoccupations: musical, personal and political.

The VWF database includes transcripts of over 5,000 items of annotated correspondence, fully indexed and searchable, which can all be read online. It includes all the letters of Ralph Vaughan Williams known to the editors and is an ongoing project. Find out more about the database.

The text of letters written by Ralph Vaughan Williams remains in the copyright of the Vaughan Williams Foundation and may not be further reproduced without the prior written consent of the Foundation.

Search the letters

Featured Letter

from Vaughan Williams, Adeline, 1870-1951 to Curle, Cordelia, 1879-1970

Letter No. VWL4597

Letter from Adeline Vaughan Williams to Cordelia Curle

Letter No.: VWL4597

Wheatfield

Wednesday [12 July 1922]

Beloved Boo
I could have cried last night – it was all so beautiful & yet so empty without you & Ad.1 Ralph has fallen in love with Wheatfield – as I thought he would. Tell Ad he thinks it is perfect.
We arrived here soon after 8.30 – a magical evening – R trundled on his bicycle, I with the chauffeuse – young Holland to help at the door & 2 trembling & smiling maids – Such flowers – I see your hand – but how sorry I was to hear “we forgot to pack Mrs Curle’s chicken so would you like it for supper”. As it can’t reach you it seemed the best thing to do was to eat it!
After our sup Holland came across from the barn & opened the yard door displaying the badger eating his porridge – a lovely sight, & Julius Caesar2 was very friendly & Ralph took a just fancy to him but is rather alarmed at the strange appearance of the Badger.
It is hot today – I write this at my bedroom window – R is below happy at the piano – May (?) Holland has been in with a chicken & there are broad beans for luncheon, and a treacle tart!
I am longing to hear about yr passage – young Holland seems so anxious & I loved him for the way he talked to Adam & his condemnation of Dorley[?]
Tell me how Adam is sleeping when you next write – but only send a card – Love to Cecile & all – I think of you bathing today
Your A.

1. Adam Curle, son of Cordelia, AVW’s sister. The VWs were staying in their house in Tetsworth while they were away.
2. Apparently a cat.

Back to all letters

A teacher's advice is not meant to be taken like a Pill but thought about & then: 1) adopted, or (2) rejected, or (perhaps best of all) (3) a 3rd course suggests itself from thinking the matter over.

RVW letter to GRACE WILLIAMS 1920

New York on the 26th, lecture at Yale on the 1st. Sail on the 4th. Ralph is terrifically well and bouncy and THRIVES on milkshakes and butterscotch sundaes.

UVW letter from New York to Michael and Eslyn Kennedy 1954

Most of Stravinsky bores me. I wish he even shocked me: especially the Rite of Spring...but I do like Symphony of Psalms, Les Noces, and the Suite for Violin and Pianoforte, of which I once heard a record under very peculiar circumstances, of which I will tell you one day.

RVW letter to MICHAEL KENNEDY 1957

You have never lost your invention but it has not developed enough.  Your best – your most original and beautiful style or ‘atmosphere’ is an indescribable sort of feeling as if one was listening to very lovely lyrical poetry.

GUSTAV HOLST letter to RVW 1903