THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

From R. Vaughan Williams
The White Gates,
Westcott Road,
Dorking.

Feb 14 [1940]

Dear Mr Newman
I hope you will forgive my troubling you.
An Austrian refugee Peter Stadlen has asked me to back his application for a permit to earn, from the ministry of labour.
I feel a great difficulty about these recommendations when so many musicians of this country are out of work – but I believe that any one really outstanding ought to be allowed to practise.
He tells me that you think well of his playing – I am no judge – besides he played me some Schönberg, which I make no pretence of understanding, on an abominable pianoforte.
Do you think I should be justified in backing his application.
Of course I shall treat your opinion in strictest confidence¹

Yours sincerely
R Vaughan Williams

1.  Newman wrote favourably in the Sunday Times about Stadlen both on 29 January 1939 and at length on 12 May 1940. Peter Stadlen wrote to Ernest Newman on 15 May 1940 to thank him for devoting a whole article to Stadlen’s recital, which Stadlen said was ‘a great honour’.  (Stadlen’s letter is with the facsimile of RVW letter): 15 May, 1940, Dear Mr. Newman, You can imagine how surprised and glad I was when I saw that you devoted your whole Sunday article to my recital and I want to thank you most heartily for this great honour.  With kindest regards to you and Mrs. Newman, Yours sincerely Peter Stadlen.