THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

From R. Vaughan Williams
The White Gates,
Westcott Road,
Dorking.

Feb 14 [1940]

Dear Mr Newman
I hope you will forgive my troubling you.
An Austrian refugee Peter Stadlen has asked me to back his application for a permit to earn, from the ministry of labour.
I feel a great difficulty about these recommendations when so many musicians of this country are out of work – but I believe that any one really outstanding ought to be allowed to practise.
He tells me that you think well of his playing – I am no judge – besides he played me some Schönberg, which I make no pretence of understanding, on an abominable pianoforte.
Do you think I should be justified in backing his application.
Of course I shall treat your opinion in strictest confidence¹

Yours sincerely
 R Vaughan Williams

1.  It can be assumed that Newman had a positive opinion, as Peter Stadlen wrote to Ernest Newman on 15 May 1940 to thank him for devoting a whole article (presumably in the Sunday Times) to Stadlen’s recital, which Stadlen said was ‘a great honour’.  (Stadlen’s letter is with the facsimile of RVW letter): 15 May, 1940, Dear Mr. Newman, You can imagine how surprised and glad I was when I saw that you devoted your whole Sunday article to my recital and I want to thank you most heartily for this great honour.  With kindest regards to you and Mrs. Newman, Yours sincerely Peter Stadlen.