THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

The White Gates,
Dorking,
Surrey.

19th November 1952.

Dear Frank,¹

About my programme notes – I quite agree, and I have altered the first sentence as follows:
“This work was suggested by the film ‘Scott of the Antarctic’, which was produced by Ealing Studios a few years ago. The composer has derived some of the themes of the ‘Sinfonia’ from the incidental music which he composed for the film. The Musical Director was Ernest Irving.” Then as before.²
I think that will make it all right.
I am returning the copy of “Linden Lea”.³
I think that is all for the moment.
Yours sincerely,

RVW

1. Music Editor in succession to Norman Peterkin (1947); Head of Music from 1954 until his retirement in 1975.
2. VW had sent Frank a programme note for Sinfonia Antartica (Catalogue of Works 1952/2) – see VWL2537. The text is not to hand but clearly both felt that the relationship with the film was described unsatisfactorily in the first draft.
3. Catalogue of Works 1901/1.