THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

The White Gates,
Westcott Road,
Dorking.

[August 1930]

Dear Grace
That will be lovely – we will go together to the prom & we will have dinner together either before or after – I rather fancy after – Betty¹ comes on 2^nd & will be over by 1/2 past 8.0 – so if not too late for you we w^d have a nice long dinner after rather than a hurried dinner before. But just as you like let me know – But if you approve of my plan I will call for you at 4 Horbury Place at 7.30 (By the way who is “Joan” I can’t place her at all). I shan’t have time to dress – so please come in a day frock (a pretty one!) – But you’ll look pretty in anything – I thought you looking prettier than I’d ever seen you that glimpse I had of you at the RCM.² – So dearest Grace if you approve of this plan let me know – but if you like any other arrangements better I will fall in with it.
I will get the tickets.
I expect you are right about the English orchestras – only its not quite fair to compare a prom performance (6 concerts a week & 3 rehearsals) with a fully rehearsed concert; also H.J.W.’s³ eccentricities & interpretations have nothing to do with the playing of the orch, have they? I had the best performance of my tune I’ve ever heard on Thursday – I like the Walton very much especially the 2^nd & 3^rd movements
I’m just going out to send a telegram to Betty
Goodbye dearest Grace
Yrs Uncle Ralph

1. Elizabeth Maconchy. This refers to the Promenade concert on Saturday 30 August 1930, when Maconchy’s The Land had its first performance, as the second item on the programme.
2. Royal College of Music
3. Henry Wood, the conductor.