THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

Letter from Ralph Vaughan Williams to Elizabeth Trevelyan

Letter No. VWL989

Letter from Ralph Vaughan Williams to Elizabeth Trevelyan

Letter No.: VWL989


From R. Vaughan Williams,
The White Gates,
Westcott Road,
Dorking.

Dec 28 [1937]

Dear Bessy

I have spent my Xmas holidays doing this – I’ve wanted to do it for a long time.1
It is very difficult & of course, to fit the notes, only a very free adaptation is possible. I have not tried rhyme  – also “Amen” seems impossible in English.
I am open to suggestions as to improvement – perhaps Bob would cast an expert eye over it.
I have had to substitute ♩for ♪♪ and  for ♪ in one or two places – also I have ventured to alter the notation in 3 places
(1) I think 6/8 should be 3/4

(2)  should be

(3) ♩͡  ♪  is easier to sing than ♩ .

If & when you think it possible will you send it to J. Röntgen – perhaps his publishers would care to issue it for the English public – if not we cd try an English publisher if the Dutch publisher would give leave.2
Yrs

RVW


1.Probably the making an English adaptation of Bet MeeszenestjeTom Tit’s Nest, by Johannes Röntgen, published by Oxford University Press in 1938.
2. Johannes Röntgen was a relation of Elizabeth Trevelyan.