THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

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

January 10th 1954.

 Dear Mr Clarke,
As regards my Housman songs for voice and violin, the singer I should have preferred would be Nancy Evans. I have heard Joan Stuart, and thought her good, but I wonder if she is not rather operatic. The singer of these songs must, among other things, have a sense of humour and beautiful diction: In some of the songs almost like a diseuse. I presume that whoever sings them will go through the songs with me before recording. I should be glad to know who you are choosing for the violinist.¹

Yours sincerely,
R Vaughan Williams

1. Cyril Clarke worked for Argo Records, which had proposed a recording of VW’s Housman songs, Along the field. See VWL2739.