THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

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

[24th May 1956]

Dear Frank,

Herewith score and parts – I find very little I want to alter in the bowing and fingering of J.B.¹
(1) viz all parts Cavatina 3rd bar of (3) >  (This is not in J.B.’s score)
(4) Cavatina 6 bars before end all parts (except solo cello) ppp (not in JB’s score)
(5) Toccata 4th bar of (19) & following bars restore my bowing (V.1 & 2)
(2) Cavatina 2 bars before (6) viz <  longer
(3) Viola, celli & Bass Cavatina 5 bars before (10) cresc poco a poco.
To save the Sergeant Major’s² bacon I suggest adding the following note: “The bowing & fingering of the string parts has the authority of the composer, but in special circumstances may be modified at the discretion of the conductor.”
Also profiting by my experience at the last night I should like to add the following note
“The sign , (comma) does not indicate a pause; if a pause is desired this sign [pause] is used.”
Yrs

RVW

[musical images to be inserted]

1. Oxford University Press had sent score and string parts of the Eighth Symphony (Catalogue of Works 1955/3) to VW on 23rd May in order for him to check bowing marks by John Barbirolli . See VWL3407.
2. A reference to Barbirolli.