THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

The White Gates,
Dorking,

16th December 1948

Dear Edmund
I do not think the O.U.P. would have any objection to my making a theme for you, but I will write to Alan Frank about it and let you know.
The theme, of course, as well as the variations would remain anonymous.¹

Yrs RVW

(R. Vaughan Williams)

Edmund Rubbra, Esq.,
Valley Cottage,
Speen,
Aylesbury.

1. Related correspondence at the Bodleian Library includes a letter from De Nevers to Rubbra, saying ‘but the whole idea is upset unless we can declare that the Theme is by him’ (Bodleian, MS. Rubbra 5/B  f. 96).  Bernard de Nevers (of Lengnick music publishers) had proposed that several composers write variations on a theme by VW; it is not known whether the theme was ever written but the idea apparently was not followed up. See related letters letters in the Bodleian Library, MS. Rubbra 5/B, ff. 90 and 95.