THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

From R. Vaughan Williams,
10, Hanover Terrace,
Regents Park,
London, N.W.1.

July 22nd 1956.

My dear Evelyn,

It was wonderful of John to send us that splendid telegram.¹  I am so glad you were with him, and you know, what we all know, how essential it is that he should have a good rest and get quite well to go on with his great work: and if anyone can make him, you can.  Also, you have got to keep well yourself, dear Evelyn, and go on playing beautifully.  We listened to your record the other night, and it is lovely.  I cannot imagine anything better in the way of a performance.  Thank you again.²
I hear on all sides how splendidly they all played under their inspirer – not only in my tune, but in everything.  I listened in to most of it.  A wonderful performance of Beethoven 7. and the other works had fine send-offs, though I can never judge of the quality of a new work at first hearing.³
Love from us both to you vboth,
Yrs

Ralph

1.  John Barbirolli.
2.  Evelyn Rothwell had recorded the VW Oboe Concerto.
3.  A further performance of VW’s Eighth Symphony, Catalogue of Works 1955/3, – the Hallé had given the first performance at Manchester on 2 May and a London performance on 14 May.