THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

[1910?]

Dear V.

Here’s to C.M.¹  I’ve just been through it for the 2^nd time (that makes the 4^th time altogether) & I like it more each time – most of it is beautiful & there are only one or two places I don’t care for which I shall not bother you with as they are merely matters of opinion.
However two general criticisms
(i)  Too many steigerungs on a pedal – I should cut out both the “To the Northward” ( p. 18) and “and see” (p. 10 of your copy) & keep only the big one before the temple scene which will gain much thereby.
(ii)  There’s perhaps rather too much wiggling on a chord of the 7^th or something else with a persistent figure going.
One or two local criticisms
Introd. Too long & don’t like harmonisation of opening tune.
P.5-18 A1 except perhaps recitative passages.
18-24 Good except steigerung already mentioned
29-45 Good (But there is another steigerung on p.40)
48 onwards too much between the vocal bits
p.4 of your copy bad interrupted cadence (all this otherwise v. good except the dance p.8.)
also I feel inclined to cut p.14 and make the “tarry not” come quite differently
21 to end good (lots of it A1) but rather long
actual last 9 bars I don’t like.

RVW

1. The Cloud Messenger, op.30, H.111, for chorus and orchestra.