Letter from Ralph Vaughan Williams to the Editor of The Times
Letter No. VWL5133
Letter from Ralph Vaughan Williams to the Editor of The Times
Letter No.: VWL5133
15 March, 1941
Dr. R. Vaughan Williams has sent to The Times a copy of the following letter which he has addressed to the Director-General of the British Broadcasting Corporation:
Sir,
I learn from The Times of March 8 that the British Broadcasting Corporation has banned the musical compositions of Dr. Alan Bush on account of his political opinions. So far as I know Dr. Bush’s political views I am strongly opposed to them. Nevertheless I wish to protest against this victimization of private opinion in the only way possible to me. You may remember that the British Broadcasting Corporation have lately done me the honour to commission from me a choral song.1 I now beg leave to withdraw my offer of this song to the British Broadcasting Corporation. I return the fee which was paid me and ask you to give directions that all manuscript material of the song be returned to me. I will, of course, be responsible for the expenses incurred in its production. I am sending copies of this letter to Sir Adrian Boult and to The Times.
1. England, My England (Catalogue of Works 1941/1).
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General Notes:
Printed in The Times newspaper, Saturday 15 March, 1941, headed “New Composition Withdrawn”. See also VWL1526.
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Citation:The Times (no.48875), 15 March, 1941, p.6.