Letter from Ralph Vaughan Williams to Iris Lemare
Letter No. VWL1128
Letter from Ralph Vaughan Williams to Iris Lemare
Letter No.: VWL1128
The White Gates
Dorking
[15 December 1933]
Dear Iris
Thankyou so much for writing – I am so glad they went well – & that all your & your singers labour was rewarded – you cd not expect an audience to take them in at 1st sight & as to the press they will not allow any one to be original – if it is English it has either to be like some well known source or if “modern” on the approved Central European lines.
New works ought really to be done twice at a 1st performance1
Love from
Uncle Ralph
1. Possibly refers to the first performance of Maconchy’s Two motets under the baton of Lemare in December 1933.
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General Notes:
Date from postmark on envelope (f. 46).
Lemare’s note: “Interesting – as it refers to the “first performance” syndrome – on which I think he felt strongly? As did Gerald Finzi”. VW’s 2nd String Quartet was played twice at its first performance at the National Gallery Concert on 12th October 1944. [No note attached to letter (or detached envelope)] -
Location Of Original:
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Shelfmark:Add MS 59814, ff. 44-46
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Location Of Copy:
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Shelfmark Copy:MS Mus. 288, f.27
