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, Rubbra Box 23, 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, Rubbra Box 23, ff. 90 and 95.