THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

From R. Vaughan Williams,
10, Hanover Terrace,
Regents Park,
London, N.W.1.

November 7th 1956.

PRIVATE

Dear Adrian,

It seems to me that Decca, if they are going to do my Serenade at all ought to do it properly with at least four soloists, and real soloists, not members of the chorus.  Of course what I should like would be something of this order: Soprano: Jennifer Vyvian or Elsie Morrison. Contralto: Norma Proctor or Marjorie Thomas.  Tenor, Wilfrid Brown or William Herbert, Bass, John Carol Case or Clinton.¹ As to the bass, one really ought to have two, a baritone and a deep bass, but I think one of these could manage both.  Between ourselves, I do not care much about Cameron,² and I fear that Isobel³ is now a rather doubtful quantity.  I know that I have allowed performances with only chorus singers, but recording is rather a different thing.  Will you report this to Decca and ask them to write to me about it?  Anyway I will note six o’clock on the 13th.
Our love to Ann

RVW

1.Gordon Clinton
2. John Cameron.
3. Isobel Baillie.