THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

The White Gates,
Westcott Road,
Dorking.

[Early June 1934]

Dear Adrian

I saw Imogen Holst yesterday & she was much distressed at the idea that an early & immature work like the “Ballet Suite” sh^d be included in the programme of June 22nd.¹
I myself feel that where there is enough beautiful music to fill about 6 programmes [it is a pity] that any time sh^d be taken up with what is not the best.
Yrs

R Vaughan Williams

1. The Suite de ballet, H43, of 1899 (revised 1912). It seems that despite VW’s representations Boult retained the work (three of the four movements) in the programme – see Michael Short, Gustav Holst – the man and his music, p.328.