THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

The White Gates,
Dorking, Surrey.

25th March, 1952.

Dear John

I feel it difficult to express my gratitude and delight after my experiences in Manchester and Liverpool Sheffield.¹ The climax came of course when I found myself conducting an orchestra with you playing in it.  I shall never forget that.
As regards my tune, I have kept everybody quiet about it up to the present until I was quite sure about it.  Now people are getting wind of it and are asking.  May I be allowed to say that you hope to perform it when it is ready?²
There is, however, one snag.  When the film was first produced a record was made of some of the music and then was issued by H.M.V., rather against my will.  Some of the music is the same as will appear in the Symphony.  Probably the records are all sold out now, but I just thought you ought to know this.
My love to Evelyn (if I may make so bold)
(R. Vaughan Williams).

Sir John Barbirolli,
c/o Hallé Concert Society,
8, St. Peter’s Square,
Manchester 2,

1.  VW had conducted his Sea Symphony played by the Halle Orchestra. See R.V.W.: a biography pp.316-317.
2.  Sinfonia Antartica