THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

The White Gates,
Westcott Road,
Dorking.

[1930s?]

Dearest Grace
I do hope you were pleased last night – I was – it was masterly & lovely tunes in it – you’ve been developing on your own lines – I always felt a bit frightened (as I do with everyone when they go abroad) that Vienna w^d rob you of your personality & that you w^d come back talking Viennese with an English accent – But no you’ve got what you wanted out of Vienna & applied it to yourself.
I liked the slow mov^t best & the beginning of the last – perhaps the last did not progress enough, too many static periods separated by bumps – & perhaps in the first mov^t the texture a little too elaborate – tho’ perhaps that was the wireless.¹
The 3 great S’s
sincerity, simplicity, serenity
But dearest Grace it was lovely & I felt proud that you should ever have been “dans ma classe” – though heaven knows I never taught you anything. You knew already much more than I c^d teach you.

My God, the rest of the concert!
(except the Mendelssohn scherzo which I love)

I am fairly through Betty’s² notes – not quite got the hang of them yet
Love from Uncle Ralph

1. Work unidentified.
2. Elizabeth Maconchy