THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

The White Gates,
Westcott Road,
Dorking.

November 18 [1934]

Dear Mr Herbage

Many thanks for your letter.
Please note that the name of the first Milford piece is “Prelude on ‘St Columba’” (not “Pipe Tune”) This was my error.¹
I fully understood from Mr Buesst that a chorus would be available and for that reason I proposed my “Five Mystical Songs”.²  If a chorus is not available I will propose something else for orchestra only.
I have had various and widely-differing accounts of the composition of the orchestra and I should like to know definitely how many strings there will be and whether a harp and tuba are available – Both these are wanted for the Grace Williams’ Overture and Mr Buesst told me that I could “probably” have them.  I should like to know exactly how much time I shall be allowed for rehearsal – I have only had vague answers as to this – Miss Williams tells me that she has not got the score of her Overture so I presume it is still with you and I should be glad to have it to study.
I return home tomorrow (Monday) and my address will be as above.³
Yours sincerely

R Vaughan Williams

1. See VWL1327, VW’s letter to Aylmer Buesst at the BBC on the same subject.  The final programme is listed in VWL1344.
2. Catalogue of Works 1911/2.
3. The VW’s had been staying at the Eversleigh Court Hotel in London since 6th November.