THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

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

June 25 [1943]

Dear Wood

I cannot tell you how touched I was by your letter¹ & how I felt about Lady Wood coming all the way to the Albert Hall to give it me.²  But, you know, it was very wrong of you – you have to spend every ounce of your energy getting well quick to come back and feed your hungry sheep at the Albert Hall.  The orchestra were splendid – and as I made no serious mistakes we had a very fine performance.

Yrs

R Vaughan Williams

1. The letter refers to the first performance of Symphony no.5 in D major which had been conducted by VW himself on 24 June in the absence of Sir Henry Wood through illness.  Year added in pencil.
2. sic.