THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

The White Gates,
Dorking, Surrey.

30th November, 1949.

Dearest Betty

I hope next May to be able to help in organising a concert of new or unknown orchestral works, and I should like, if possible, to put your Symphony in.¹
Could you let me know whether you would like it done under these circumstances and if so, how long it plays and what the orchestration is.
Also have you any particular ideas as to a conductor?  At present one idea is Clarence Raybould and the other is Constant Lambert.  But I must explain that all is very vague yet and I do not know whether it will come off.  We have not even found a place yet.²
Love

Uncle Ralph

P.S. We could only have 2 rehearsals.
Mrs. le Fanu,
Wickham Lodge,
Wickham Bishops, Essex.

1.  On the Symphony see VWL2790.
2. VW was arranging a concert for 26 May, but then the BBC announced a broadcast of Maconchy’s Symphony on 27^th April 1950 (broadcast on the Third Programme at 8.30 pm) in cooperation with the London Contemporary Music Centre, so the plan was abandoned. See VWL2953.