"To mark the 50th anniversary of the death of the greatest British composer of the first half of the 20th century, Ralph Vaughn Williams, this selection of 750 of his letters, introduced and annotated, provides insights on his early development, his own music, and his views on the music of others. The letters also shed light on his political attitudes, especially to the two world wars, his close personal friendships, and his marriages. This book will provide not only factual information relating to his life and works but will bring the reader into direct contact with a great personality who always followed the course that he felt to be right and in the interests of British music.

The reader will gain a deeper understanding of the man and thus a deeper understanding of the music, at a time when it is being performed increasingly often."--Jacket.