THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

Boston Symphony Orchestra
Symphony Hall
Boston 15.
Massachusetts

August 10, 1948

Dear Dr. Williams:

This is just a short note to reiterate my warm congratulation on the outstanding success of your SIXTH Symphony, in which all the members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra join.¹
Enclosed I am sending you the review of Olin Downes of the New York Times², which you might be interested to read, giving an idea of the deep and lasting impression of your great work upon the musicians as well as the American audience at large.
With my personal feeling of admiration and regards.
Yours

Serge Koussevitzky

P.S. You may be interested to know that Mrs. M. Grant, secretary of the Koussevitzky Music Foundation, is now in Geneva with the United Nations, as this is her permanent position, and that she plans to come to London sometime in September on her way back to the States. She hopes very much to get in touch with you and your Committee for the Promotion of New Music, regarding the Koussevitzky Music commission. I trust she will be able to meet you then.

1.  Presumably following the first American performance of the work on August 7th, 1948, when Koussevitsky conducted the work at Tanglewood. He had already cabled VW; see VWL5125 (footnote). See VWL5126 for VW’s response to this letter.
2.  Influential American music critic, 1886-1955. An ardent promoter of Sibelius.