THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

The White Gates,
Dorking.

Aug 13 [1944]

Dearest Betty

I listened to Puck¹ – & have been waiting to coordinate my ideas about it. – I feel I am going to like much of it – but I feel baffled at present – the atmosphere does not seem clear at present.  I do not know whether you want it to be gay or sinister – at present it seems rather to fall between 2 stools.  The Goat I definitely like straight away & the Lovers – the tinkers seems to me definitely too short and not to have time to say any thing – do make it into a larger piece
Evening seems to me not worthy of the rest in distinction of style.
But, dearest Betty, you know how impossible it is to judge of a brand new work absolutely on first hearing.  So we want to hear it several times
All my love

Uncle Ralph 

1.  A suite from Maconchy’s ballet, Puck Fair had been performed at the Proms on 5 August 1944 by Boult and the BBC Orchestra.  Puck Fair is a traditional event which takes place each year in Killorglin, Co. Kerry. Maconchy had grown up in Ireland and the full version of the ballet was first performed there.