THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

The White Gates,
Dorking.

October 29 [1943]

Dear Peterkin

Many thanks for your letter about the ‘Victory’ anthem.  As far as I remember I have not yet promised to do it, but said to Bliss I would think about it and see if I could think of anything that would be likely to satisfy us both.
I shall know this probably in about a month – If I do decide to do it I may want 4 first class soloists (not members of the chorus) a speaker, chorus, full symphony orchestra and organ.
As regards the terms set out in the B.B.C letter to you I accept them all except the right to publish a “facsimile extract” in the Radio Times.
I absolutely refuse to pander to this vulgar form of publicity.  I think that to safeguard myself I must have everything copied and not let any of my own manuscript pass into the hands of the B.B.C.
Yours sincerely

R. Vaughan Williams