THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

[About 12th June 1926]

MESSAGE FROM THE MUSICAL DIRECTOR.

As I shall not have an opportunity of meeting many of the members of the Bach Choir before next season, I want to tell them of my admiration of the manner in which they carried out our arduous four day festival.¹
There was present throughout that “inner fire”, (to quote Dr. Straube²) that enthusiasm and devotion which are of more value than any amount of technique.
Particularly I wish to thank the Choir for their fine performance of my “Sancta Civitas” and I want to tell members that I am aware that this performance was the result of much more than our weekly practices.³
The performance of the Mass was to my mind a worthy climax to a week of splendid singing.⁴
R. VAUGHAN WILLIAMS,

Musical Director.

1. The Festival was to celebrate the Bach Choir’s Fiftieth Jubilee. See R.V.W.: a biography, p.164.
2. Kantor of St Thomas’ Church, Leipzig, who had given the first performance in Germany of VW’s Mass in G minor. See VWL537. He was present for the Festival.
3. The Bach Choir had given the first London performance of Sancta Civitas on 9th June.
4. A performance of Bach’s Mass in B minor.