THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

at/ 8, Chesterfield Gardens
W.

March 28th l914

Dear Vaughan Williams,

I must just send you one line of best congratulations on the great success of your symphony last night, of which I have read in the papers.  I was dreadfully disappointed that I could not be there to hear it, but I was singing last night later on and did not dare go out before!  However it will be done again.  In the meantime my heartiest congrats.¹
By the way your songs “Is my team ploughing?” and “Roadside Fire” had a huge success in Holland a little time ago.  I sang them at Amsterdam, Utrecht and The Hague.  They were greatly liked.
Yours ever

Gervase Elwes

1. The London Symphony, Catalogue of Works 1913/5, had received its first performance at the Queen’s Hall.