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.
Featured Letter
from Vaughan Williams, Ralph, 1872-1958 to Lilburn, Douglas, 1915-2001
Letter No. VWL2314
Letter from Ralph Vaughan Williams to Douglas Lilburn
Letter No.: VWL2314
From R. Vaughan Williams,
The White Gates,
Westcott Road,
Dorking.
7th August, 1947.
D.Lilburn, Esq.,
Victoria University,
Wellington, W.1.
New Zealand
Dear Lilburn,
I was very glad of your long and interesting letter.
Have you seen R.O.M.’s latest book on Practical Counter-point?1 Also, there is a book shortly coming out, by Dr. Andrews, on Harmony, which I think would meet your point.2
I am sorry all these petty jealousies are spoiling the chances of a good orchestra in New Zealand, but I feel that you and Page working together will really set things going.
I am glad you have time for composition and hope they will get to England soon.
R. Vaughan Williams
P.S. One certainly can’t develop by leaving out a step & Sibelius was one of your more important steps. Give my love to Page.
1. Introduction to Counterpoint, Oxford 1944.
2. The Oxford Harmony (Oxford, 1950).
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General Notes:
Typewritten, not signed, but postscript in hand of VW.
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Shelfmark:MS Papers 2483
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Location Of Copy:
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Shelfmark Copy:MS Mus. 1714/2/6, f. 32
