21 SEPTEMBER 1951, Page 16

Gerald Finzi

am astonished to notice that in your music critic's account of the Three Choirs Festival the name of Gerald Finzi is not included in his list of representative West Country composers whose work was performed. True, Finzi may not yet have achieved the sure touch of Howells or the Rrofessional dexterity of Elgar. This, I think, is largely because he it venturing on hitherto uncharted seas. Surely no one with ears to hear can fie to recognise Finzi's inventive fertility and deep poetic imagination. Yours faithfully, RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS.

The White GatesT Dorking. ,