THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

From R. Vaughan Williams,
10, Hanover Terrace,
Regents Park,
London, N.W.1.

November 2nd 1955.

Dear Frank,

This puts me in a very awkward position. Adrian is much too nice to ask me for anything, but from something he once said he evidently hoped that I would offer him my next important work. Of course he was much soothed by recording all the symphonies, but if I take away the next one from him and give it to JB, I have to confess that I shall be doing Adrian a nasty turn.¹ On the other hand, I quite understand JB wants to record it. It is a difficult situation. Do you think JB would be willing to let Decca do the first recording, after he had given his public performances?—and he follow on with the other company if they both wish to? I will do some programme notes if you like, but I do not suppose that Frank Howes will like them. As regards notes on the violin sonata,² I CAN’T DO ANY THING UNTIL I HAVE A COPY—a rough copy will do.
Yrs

RVW

1. John Barbirolli had asked permission to record the Eighth Symphony (Catalogue of Works 1955/3). Adrian Boult had already recorded a cycle of the earlier symphonies. See VWL3225 for further on this.
2. Catalogue of Works 1954/4.