Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, August 26, 1958

Aug 26 (Tues)

Ralph Vaughn Williams [British composer (1872-1958)] died today at the age of 86 – unlike Sibelius he composed to the very last (will we of this generation ever learn the secret of Sibelius’ sterility of the last 28 years of his life?) Where will posterity place him? – Perhaps only to Sibelius – now Stravinsky is the “white-haired boy” of the critics + writers on music. Much as I love his “Petrushka” for its novelty + gayety, it is light-weight compared to some of Vaughan Williams works – In the long run it is content and not novelty of form that determines an artist’s place. Stravinsky has written nothing with the nobility of thought that is in the Vaughan Williams Fifth Symphony for example.

I shall always cherish the memory of his appearance as a guest-conductor (of his Tallis variations only) with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra.

Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, August 26, 1958