THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

The White Gates,
Westcott Road,
Dorking.

October 15 [1944]

Dear Mr Roy Douglas

I understand from Peterkin of the O.U.P. that you might be willing to make a reduced score of the ‘Victory Anthem’ that I am writing for the B.B.C. It is quite a short work – to be nearly exact 420 bars and so ought not to take you long.
What I suggest is that you should copy the score as it stands and then add the reductions in red ink. The same score would then be available for both full orchestra and for anything less.
At present it is written for large orchestra including 6 trumpets, 6 clarinets, 6 Timpani (2 players) 2 harps and organ. The ultimate reduction should, I think, be double woodwind, 2 trumpets 2 horns 3 Trombones 2 Timpani, 1 percussion no organ or harps – or perhaps “harp or piano”. I should also want a separate score arranged for strings & organ with ad lib Timp.
If you think you can undertake this, or some of it perhaps we could meet either here or in London and I would bring the score with me.

Yours sincerely

R. Vaughan Williams