17 JULY 1964, Page 13

BRITTEN AND STRAVINSKY •

SIR,--I do not trust Mr. Charles Reid's memory. of What I Said about Stravinsky (or anyway What I Meant). Anyone who looks at my operas must admit that I would never have dreamed of criticising Stravinsky for writing 'in short artificial sections.'

BENJAMIN BRITTEN The Red House, Aldeburgh, Suffolk.

[Charles Reid writes: 'My memory doesn't come into it. Mr. Britten's is certainly at fault. His adverse criticism of The Rake's Progress was made in con- versation with me, noted at the time, transcribed, submitted to Mr. Britten, and approved for pub- lication in a covering note dated March 19, 1959, which bears his signature.'----Editor, Spectator.] VOLUNTARY SERVICE OVERSEAS