THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

13 Cheyne Walk,
S.W.

[January 1925]

Dear Dent

Many thanks for your letter. I feel much honoured at being selected to represent England at the next Festival.¹
As regards conducting – I sh^d think if Talich² feels a sympathy with the work & w^dlike to do it – he had better do so. Failing him Adrian³ or Malcolm Sargent (who conducts it at the Phil: in April).
As regards the “Rondels”⁴  Steuart⁵ is the man for them if possible.
Yours very sincerely

R. Vaughan Williams

1. The Pastoral Symphony was to be given at the International Society for Contemporary Music Festival in Prague. Adrian Boult eventually conducted the work. See VWL576, VWL583, VWL584, VWL585 and R.V.W.: a biography, pp.158-9.
2. Vaclav Talich, chief conductor of the Czech Philharmonic at this time.
3. Adrian Boult
4. Merciless Beauty, Three rondels for high voice, with accompaniment for string trio (2 violins, 1 violoncello) or pianoforte, Catalogue of Works 1921/11.
5. Steuart Wilson, the tenor.