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 Howells, Herbert, 1892-1983
Letter No. VWL2470
Letter from Ralph Vaughan Williams to Herbert Howells
Letter No.: VWL2470
The White Gates,
Dorking, Surrey.
17th Septr. 1952.
Dear Herbert
As regards the dinner on October 6th. I see from the Music Journal that it is at the Trocadero, but no time is given. Perhaps someone could tell me this? Also I understand it is white tie and tails. Is that so? Also, are there to be any speeches, and if so shall I be expected to speak a piece?1
Now there is another point. I have had a letter from a man called Wilkinson, an ex-pupil of yours; he encloses a testimonial from you. He asks me to help him with work. I doubt if I have any but I should like your confidential opinion as to whether he is worth helping.
Yrs RWV
(R. Vaughan Williams).
Dr. Herbert Howells,
3, Beverley Close,
Barnes, S.W.13.
1. A dinner to be given given by the Incorporated Society of Musicians in honour of VW’s 80th birthday. See R.V.W.: a biography, p.325, and more details in VWL2449 footnote.
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General Notes:
Typewritten, signed.
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Shelfmark:MS 7832/376 mm
