THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

The White Gates

Oct 14 [1944]

My sweetest Jean
Thank you for your lovely present – I wish it could rub out all unhappiness out of your life.  But not the memories that are enshrined in those red crosses – they are indelible.
You played beautifully (and looked lovely) on Monday.  But the piece seemed unworthy of you – it sounded dull & muddly – you know I’ve tried all my life for clarity & never achieved it – I always put too many ingredients into the pudding.  But I suppose at my advanced years its’s too late now – perhaps I ought to scrap the work – I don’t think I can rewrite it a second time.  This sounds ungrateful – but it is not – you all played it beautifully & it is entirely the fault of the work, e.g. the 1^st movement – a tempo which suits one bit well not suit another – so yes it w^d sound intolerably scrappy if one continually changed the tempo.  There my dear I have written a doleful letter – but the more I hear my own tunes the more I dislike them – & I haven’t the courage not to listen all this week.
Now to change the subject completely
Beatrice¹ did not slap my face as you said she would.
all my love dearest Jean
Uncle Ralph

1.  Beatrice Carelle, second violinist of the Menges Quartet.