Letter from Ralph Vaughan Williams to René Gatty
Letter No. VWL119
Letter from Ralph Vaughan Williams to René Gatty
Letter No.: VWL119
[1899?]
Dear Herr Gatty
We were so glad to get your letter. I am going to confine myself to a few remarks about Nick’s serenade1 – It came off most tremendously – the scoring was effective without any straining after effect – and the parts must have been very well written for the instruments as it went so well the first try over. Awfully jolly tunes in it too – and these not isolated but welded together as a whole – altogether a complete success and a distinct advance even on the quartett; he has gone the right way to work and the quality of his ideas and the mastery over the means of expression advance side by side without one outstripping the other.
I envy you the Sing Akademie – what a way to get to know Bach.
Yours
R.V.W.
1. Nicholas Gatty’s Serenade.
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General Notes:
Probably 1899, since the Quartet was tried over in July 98 and Gatty was in England from August to November 98. Ask RCM.
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Location Of Original:
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Shelfmark:MS135
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Location Of Copy:
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Shelfmark Copy:MS Mus. 1714/1/1, ff. 159-160
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Citation:R.V.W.: a biography of Ralph Vaughan Williams, p.58
