THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

The White Gates,
Dorking,
Surrey.

20th May, 1953.

Dear Frank,

In reply to your various letters:
My “Prelude on an Old Carol Tune” is founded on the incidental music which I wrote for the broadcast of “The Mayor of Casterbridge” at Bristol.
I am very much interested in all the various activities you report.
I return Olin Downe’s¹ article, which interested me very much.
As regards Tony Scott’s piece, I am sorry if it was my fault. Perhaps you could suggest to him writing instead, or as well the kind of piece you want, otherwise Henry Ley would do it very well. The only trouble is, can we use the same set of words?²
Yrs

RVW

1. sic.
2. See VWL2616. When Scott completed the work, entitled Almighty Word,  it turned out to contain no reference at all to VW’s setting of the Tallis tune, though Frank was prepared to publish it nonetheless. Frank therefore still wanted in addition a piece along the lines he had first suggested.