THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

The White Gates,
Dorking, Surrey.

23rd November, 1949.

Dear Stanford Robinson

I hope very much to come on Thursday afternoon, but cannot make quite sure yet.¹  I like your programme very much.  Certainly add brass to the Overture, especially the second and third trombones.  They are badly wanted but economy forbad.
Yes, please orchestrate “The Water Mill”, and can you persuade the singer to take it slow enough.  It is almost always sung too quick.  It ought to sound quiet and dreamy and not skittish.²
Yours sincerely

R Vaughan Williams

1.  This was a VW concert broadcast on the Home Service at 18.45 pm on 27 November, with the BBC Opera Chorus, Bruce Boyce (baritone), and Stanford Robinson conducting. The works performed were: March on Sea Songs; The Water Mill; Linden Lea; My Bonnie Boy (Folk-Song Suite); The Springtime of the Year; Just as the tide was flowing; The Turtle Dove; Overture to The Poisoned Kiss; The Vagabond, and The Roadside Fire (Songs of Travel); Intermezzo (Homage to Henry Hall); Sigh No More, and The Wedding Chorus (Sir John in Love); Overture, The Wasps.
2.  No.4 of Four poems by Fredegond Shove, Catalogue of Works, 1925/3. No orchestrated version of the accompaniment is noted in the Catalogue of Works.