THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

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

January 4th, 1955.

Dear Mr Goodchild,¹
Thank you for your letter. I have already heard of your prowess as a Tubist, and I wish I could have heard you play my concerto. I think it is a beautiful instrument. Some people, as I daresay you know, want to substitute a fourth trombone for the tuba in the orchestral trombone and tuba combination, I disagree, and believe that the difference of tone quality is essential to make the bass stand out.
Your idea of a sonata for tuba and pianoforte is, I think, doubtful; and reminds me of the perfectly true story of our kitten who got inside Mr Catilenet’s tuba² when he left it on the floor at an interval during rehearsal.
Yours sincerely,
R Vaughan Williams

1. Cliff Goodchild was principal tuba at the Sydney Symphony Orchestra for 36 years.
2. Philip Catelinet, tuba player.