THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

From R. Vaughan Williams,
10, Hanover Terrace,
Regents Park,
London, N.W.1.

March 6th 1958.

Dear Michael and Eslyn,

First, your confidential message about Cowen, – really, I believe, Cohen.¹  He wrote one or two charming songs and was a skilled craftsman, but I don’t think any more.  I hardly knew him personally, and I don’t think he was much of a conductor.
I think our performance of the Passion last night was the best we have done.²
Our love to you
Ralph

1.  Sir Frederick Cowen, composer and conductor, who had conducted the Hallé Orchestra in 1896-99.  MK had been asking VW about him in connexion with his book on the orchestra, The Hallé Tradition.
2.  VW’s last performance of the St Matthew Passion.