THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

Hotel-Suisse
Ospedalette – Ligure
Riviera
Italy

Dec 19th 1913

Dear Mr Barter

I have had an enthusiastic letter from McInnes, which increases the regret which I feel that I was not able to be present at your performance of the “Sea Symphony”.¹  I do thank you & your performers from the bottom of my heart – it is that enthusiasm which makes everything live and which makes you & your people such a vital force in musical life.  Will you thank your choir & orchestra most heartily from me – I hope they recognise what an encouragement it is to a composer to feel that he has friends, through his music, whom he has never seen.
Yrs sincerely

R. Vaughan Williams

1. The Bristol Philharmonic Society had given a further performance of A Sea Symphony on 10 December, following that of 26 April 1911 (the third performance of the work) with Campbell McInnes as soloist. Writing to VW in 1942 Steuart Wilson observed in connexion with a performance of the Sea Symphony: ‘All the way through … I was haunted by Jim McInnes’ voice – I don’t think anyone will ever sing it so well again’-  see VWL344.