MS Mus. 1784/1/16

1: f. 1: Julia Laws: 17 March 1949: Thanks Sargent for his offer of tickets to a concert which she regrets she cannot attend

2: ff. 2-3: Neil Barkla: County Music Organiser, Leicestershire Rural Community Council: 11-29 March 1949: Request for Sargent to attend the first County Music Festival for Leicestershire and Rutland at the De Montfort Hall, Leicester on 14 May 1949, and become a patron of the Festival; Sargent cannot attend

3: f. 4: E.N. Parker: Organising Secretary, Malvern Festival: 23 February 1949: Request for Sargent to give a Tea-Time Talk at the Malvern Festival in August 1950

4: f. 5: Leighton Lucas: Composer and conductor: 25 August 1948: Writes to enclose two scores with the request that Sargent consider conducting them

5: ff. 6-10: Miss [?] Cullen: Hon. Sec. Leith Hill Musical Festival: 28 February 1949: Request for Sargent to distribute awards at the Leith Hill Musical Festival 1949; encloses programmes for the Festival; Sargent cannot take part

6: ff. 11-15: Helen F. Read: The London Junior and Senior Orchestras: 1 March 1949: Writes on behalf of her husband, conductor Ernest Read, enclosing prospectus for the Orchestral Training Course sponsored by the London Junior and Senior Orchestras at Queenswood School 1949

7: f. 16: Liselotte Moser: 21 November 1948: Thanks Sargent’s Secretary Sylvia Darley for the tickets for a concert

8: ff. 17-18: [first name unclear] Lang: Cousin of Sargent: 13 January 1949: Writes to inform Sargent how much she enjoyed Tuesday evening’s performance with Katheleen Ferrier performing the ‘Four Serious Songs’; looks forward to seeing him in Peterborough

9: f. 19: Bill Morgan: Admiral Superintendant’s Office, H.M. Dockyard, Portsmouth: 28 January 1949: Writes to recommends a Petty Officer Cook who he believes has an ‘exceptionally good tenor voice’ and invites Sargent to visit

10: f. 20: R.V. Gibson: Hon. Sec., Masaryk Memorial Fund: 25 January 1949: Seeks donations to the Masaryk Memorial Fund

11: f. 21: Geoffrey Dando: The National Council of Social Service; also Secretary, Twelfth Annual School for Rural Conductors and Accompanists: 8 March 1949: Request for Sargent to conduct a performance at the Twelfth Annual School for Rural Conductors and Accompanists

12: f. 22: B. Rutt: Society of Norwegian Composers: 8 March 1949: Encloses a catalogue of contemporary Norwegian orchestral and chamber music

13: ff. 23-24: Albert E. Newton: Motor Engineer: 1 February 1949: Encloses a bill [missing]

14: f. 25: Olive [?]: 17 December 1948: Letter to accompany gift of a picnic set

15: ff. 26-28: Jan Sliwinski: Music Adviser, Polish Cultural Institute: 21 April 1949: Request for Sargent to write a contribution to a pamphlet tracing Chopin’s connection with Great Britain being written in the centenary of his death

16: ff. 29-30: Dorothy Pybus: [Friend in Johannesburg]: 26 January 1949-1 May 1949: Personal letters concerning visit to Britain; writes from Johannesburg looking forward to visit; after she has arrived she writes to arrange to meet Sargent

17: f. 31: Michael Prickett: 7 April 1949: Invitation for Sargent to a party aboard the ship HMS Corunna on 12 April

18: f. 32: Oscar [?]: 4 April 1949: Writes to enclose an article [missing] on which he expresses opinions

19: f. 33: Richard Kent: Oxford University Opera Club: 6 February 1949: Invitation for Sargent to attend performances of the Oxford University Opera Club Production of Stanford’s ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ in February 1949

20: f. 34: Hazel Rogers: Assistant Editor ‘The Queen’: 7 February 1949: Encloses a caption for proof-reading which is to accompany a picture of Sargent to be published in ‘The Queen’ magazine

21: f. 35: [not correspondence]: [Undated]: Alteration to a photograph caption

22: ff. 36-38: Lady Mary Louise Oliver: JP, City of Leicester: 28 December 1948-21 January 1949: Personal messages from Lady Oliver, one thanking Sargent for a Christmas card

23: ff. 39-41: [not correspondence]: Brochure for the International Music Festival in Prague, Spring 1949

24: f. 42: F. Edebau, Secretary General, Ostend Conservatoire de Musique; E. Devlieger, Director, Ostend Conservatoire de Musique: 14 March 1949: Invitation for Sargent to conduct at the International Contest of Singing and Pianoforte at Ostende in August 1949

25: ff. 43-51: Edward Fuller, Public Relations Officer, Save the Children Fund; Margaret Shaw, Assistant to the Public Relations Officer, Save the Children Fund: 4-28 April 1949: Correspondence requesting a message of good wishes and photographic portrait to feature in the first edition of a magazine to be named ‘The SCF Junior Journal’ for the Save the Children Fund; encloses brochure with details of the Fund

26: ff. 52-53: James W. Scotney: Scotney & Son (Antique Dealers): 1-4 February 1949: Correspondence concerning Sargent’s request for a revolving bookcase for his music scores; they have found one matching his requirements of which they provide a sketch

27: ff. 54-55: [unclear]: Radio Cars Limited: 2 March 1949: Promotional letter for Radio Cars and acknowledgment of an account opened for Sargent

28: ff. 56-57: [no name]: Editor, The Sketch: 6 May 1949: Telegram requesting Sargent contribute to an article in ‘The Sketch’ by stating the two pictures ‘he would most like to live with’

29: f. 58: Rev. Frank Jennings: Stamford Hill Congregational Church: 19 April 1949: Request for Sargent to write a short answer to a question for a sermon he plans to deliver

30: ff. 59-61: Walter. E. Ridgley, W.E. Ridgley, General Wood Turning: 19 February-9 May 1949: Correspondence concerning the repairing and repainting of Sargent’s conducting batons

31: f. 62: Edith Ridgeway: 2 May 1949: Postcard with question for the BBC Radio broadcast ‘Brains Trust’; the question is about pronunciation in singing

32: f. 63: L.A. Coombes: St. George’s Conservative Association: 5 May 1949: Responds to an enquiry by Sargent to state there is no contest in his Ward for the forthcoming election

33: f. 64: Samuel J. Rosenheim: Conductor: 25 April 1949: Seeks a conducting lesson

34: f. 65: Elizabeth Rose: Soprano: 10 February 1949: Request for an audition with Sargent

35: f. 66: [no name]: Private Secretary, 13, Kensington Palace Gardens: 1949: Invitation to attend a recital by Larissa Alexandrovskaya, People’s Artist of the USSR, and meet the Soviet Women’s Delegation at Kensington Palace Gardens on 25 March 1949

36: ff. 67-70: Edward Gaspard Sysonby, 2nd Baron Sysonby: Lieutenant Colonel: 13 December 1948-17 March 1949: Concerning a scheme for sharing items of food between his ranch in Southern Rhodesia and Sargent in London

37: f. 71: [unclear]: Metropolitan Police: 9 March 1949: Writes to inform Sargent that Mrs M. Mountain, who has been writing nuisance letters, has been seen by a police officer and the situation is resolved

38: ff. 72-73: No date [1948/49]: Brochure for Recorded Productions (London) Ltd.

39: f. 74: J.E. Broome: Editor, The Sketch: 14 February 1949: Request for a meeting with Sargent to discuss a scheme for the reproduction and representation of music in The Sketch

40: f. 75: Jennifer Rice: Royal Academy of Music: 3 February 1949: Invitation to see a performance of an opera organised by the Royal Academy of Music Club where Vaughan-Williams, Bax, Guthrie and many critics will be present

41: f. 76: E. van Rossum: Organising Secretary, The Salvation Army: 1 February 1949: Reminder of request to conduct at the Salvation Army Musical Festival at Clapton Hall on 26 March 1949

42: f. 77: H. Scott-Baker: Composer [no more information]: 22 November 1948: Request that Sargent consider performing his Te Deum which has just been published by Novellos

43: ff. 78-79: Stefan Schimanski: World Review: 26 January 1949: Encloses interview with Sibelius published in The Manchester Guardian, 8 December 1948

44: ff. 80-81: Eric Simon: 1948: Christmas card from Eric Simon

45: ff. 82-83: Marion C. Sims: [Family friend from Stamford?]: 17 January 1949: Concerning musical activities in Stamford

46: ff. 86-88: Hannen Swaffer: Journalist, Daily Herald: 15-24 January 1949: Correspondence concerning proposed ‘nationalisation’ of Gilbert and Sullivan operas to protect copyright; includes resulting article by Swaffer in the Daily Herald

47: f. 89: John W. Francis: Driver employed by Walter Scott, Chauffer: 22 January 1949: Concerning the fine and driving ban he has received after being caught speeding while transporting Sargent’s secretary

48: f. 90: Ralph Vaughan-Williams: Composer: Undated [1948 or 1949]: Expresses satisfaction with recent performances

49: f. 91: A. G. Clements: Chief Sales Superintendent, London Telecommunications Region, West Area: 30 March 1949: Concerning application for another telephone line at Sargent’s residence

50: f. 92: A. [Greenhouse ?]: Trinity College of Music: 23 March 1949: Request for Sargent to give a lecture at Trinity College of Music

51: ff. 93-94: [No name]: Universal Edition: 7 February 1949: Letter promoting new editions of works by Handel

52: f. 95: Vernon [?]: United Society for Christian Literature: 20 March 1949: Invitation for Sargent to attend a reception

53: f. 96: Philip P. Towell: 18 March 1949: Request for sources of information on Sargent’s life for a biographical sketch he is writing

54: f. 97: Michael Tippett: Composer: 23 January 1949: Thanks Sargent for the sensitive performance of his new work which was well-received; other thoughts concerning the work

55: ff. 98-100: [no name]: The Children’s Theatre Ltd: February 1949: Invitation for Sargent to attend performances by The Children’s Theatre; encloses leaflet listing plays produced in the past three years

56: ff. 101-102: Turbeville Smith: Turbeville Smith & Co. [Solicitors]: 13-29 January 1949: Concerning accounts for work at Sargent’s property at The Grove, Higher Denham, Bucks

57: f. 103: Moushka [?]: 17 January 1949: Request for Sargent to return a typescript of ‘memories’ previously sent to him

58: f. 104: Francis [no surname]: The British Institute of Florence: 19 January 1949: Thanks Sargent for his offer to help with John’s education; the boy is to stay in the States for two years more [no context]

59: f. 105: E.J. Wood: 6 May 1949: Request for an autograph for album

60: ff. 106-110: Emanuel Yourovsky: Conductor, Carl Rosa Opera Company: 22 February-4 April 1949: Letters seeking Sargent’s assistance to promote his career

61: f. 111: [unclear]: Editor, Who’s Who in Music: 10 May 1949: Encloses typescript of entry to appear in the forthcoming edition of ‘Who’s Who in Music’ for proof-reading

62: ff. 112-114: Wilfrid R. Wood: Artist: 9 August 1948-2 May 1949: Concerning drawings of Stamford, Lincolnshire, which Wood is creating at Sargent’s request

63: f. 115: Kenneth T. Wray: Artist: 4 April 1949: Writes to enclose portrait of Sargent

64: ff. 116-117: Earnest Chapman: Personal Assistant to Florian Williams of Joseph Williams Limited [Music Publishers]: March-6 April 1949: Letters promoting new orchestral publications

65: ff. 118- 122: Ada de Marchant: Founder of the Westminster Studio of Arts: 5 March 1949: Requests Sargent’s view on who should succeed Lord Shaftesbury as President of the Westminster Studio of Arts; accompanied by papers concerning the organisation

66: f. 123: Joseph Weingarten: Pianist [see Grove]: 17 February 1949: Request to perform as soloist for a forthcoming performance at the Conservatoire, Bruxelles

67: f. 124: William Waller: Entertainments Organiser, Borough of Sutton and Cheam: 7 April 1949: Request to conduct the London Symphony Orchestra at Cheam Baths Hall on dates in December 1949 and January 1950

68: ff. 125-127: Thomas Wood, Member of Special Appeals Committee, Family Welfare Association; A.R.H. Waring, Public Relations, Family Welfare Association: 8-10 February 1949: Request for Sargent to speak for a BBC broadcast appeal for the Family Welfare Association

69: f. 128: Frank Wright: Editor, ‘The Conductor’: 16 February 1949: Writes to enclose copy of edition of ‘The Conductor’

70: ff. 129-130: Major G.H. Willcocks: Director of Music, Band of the Irish Guards: 2-9 February 1949: Concerning request for Sargent to provide reference for employment in South Rhodesia

71: ff. 131-136: [not correspondence]: Wine Shippers (London) Ltd: Price List for Wine Shippers (London) Ltd.

72: f. 137: C. Whitaker-Wilson: Writer: 26 January 1949: Request for Sargent to write a foreword to a book he is writing entitled ‘Psychology and Music Teaching’

73: ff. 138-140: Philip York Bowen: De Wolfe Music Publishers: 17 November 1948: Receipts from De Wolfe Music Publishers

74: ff. 141-142: Katie Gandy: Fiction Editor, ‘Woman and Beauty’: 19-31 January 1949: Concerning contribution by Sargent to the magazine ‘Women and Beauty’

75: ff. 143-144: R.S. Rivers: 14 January 1949: Letter enclosing Patron’s ticket for the Westminster Abbey Choir Season 1948/49

76: ff. 145-146: Ronald [unclear]; [Tom], [unclear]: 1-10 January 1949: Correspondence concerning a play written by Ronald

77: ff. 147-148: Clare Hood: 13 October 1949: Writes on behalf of her friend Bobby Alcock who seeks work as a violinist

78: f. 149: Sheila Rainey: Anglo-Soviet Music Press Ltd.: 15 December 1949: Acknowledges return of score of Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 6

79: f. 150: Lady [?] Forbes: The Allied Circle: [1949?]: Congratulates Sargent on a performance and requests a meeting

80: f. 151: Jack Atherton: Orchestral trumpet player: 28 December 1949: Seeks work as an orchestral trumpet player

81: f. 152: Dr. Thomas Henry Wait Armstrong: Lecturer in Music at Oxford University: 30 October 1949: Regrets he cannot attend the Saints and Sinners Luncheon owing to illness

82: ff. 153-154: Dr. Thomas Henry Wait Armstrong: Lecturer in Music at Oxford University: 10 January 1950: Personal letter concerning Sargent’s son Peter’s application to Oxford University

83: f. 155: Edith Armstrong: Singing teacher: 1949/50: Business card for Edith Armstrong

84: f. 156: Violet Helen. Attlee, Countess Attlee: Chairman, National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children: September 1949: Invitation for Sargent to attend the film premiere of ‘The Search’ on 2 November 1949; request he become a Vice-President of the Premiere Committee

85: f. 157: Hon. Michael Langhorne Astor: Member of Parliament: 7 September 1949: Invitation for Sargent to stay for the weekend of 21 October

86: f. 158: Elsie R. Anderson: Formerly member of the Royal Choral Society: 15 August 1949: Request for advice on obtaining a valuation for a violin

87: ff. 159-161: R. Bernheim: 5 February 1950: Enquiry concerning cuts made in Sargent’s performance of Berlioz’s ‘Damnation de Faust’; Sargent believes Berlioz himself made the cuts

88: ff. 162-164: Gordon Bryan: 6 December 1945-22 January 1950: Concerning his arrangement of Scarlatti which he would like Sargent to perform; later encloses Photostat copies of a Scarlatti arrangement; also concerns arrangements for him to see Sargent’s son Peter in Oxford

89: ff. 165-167: Helen F. Bantock: 11 February-3 December 1949: Correspondence concerning scores sent to Sargent for him to consider for performance

90: ff. 168-169: Goodwin & Tabb Ltd. [Music Librarians and Publishers]: 16 February-28 March 1949: Concerning recordings of Bantock works loaned to Sargent

91: ff. 170-174: [not correspondence]: Papers relating to The Bantock Society

92: f. 175: Roger [?]: 23 January 1950: Request for Sargent to sign a volume of bound programmes

93: ff. 176-180: [Mrs] E.N. Brown: 14 January 1950: Request for a signed photograph for an ‘Individuals’ Music and Social Society to be established in Ifracombe; accompanied by press cuttings and a typed sheet about the proposed Society

94: f. 181: Philip York Bowen: Chappell & Co. Ltd Music Publishers: 9 January 1950: Wishes to see Bax’s ‘Concertante’ performed in the forthcoming season of Promenade Concerts and seeks Sargent’s support

95: f. 182: Mr. Baker: Monumental Mason: 12 January 1950: Letter from Sargent to Mr Baker concerning the construction of a gravestone

96: f. 183: [?]: Baton supplier: 28 November 1949: Acknowledgment of Sargent’s order for conducting batons

97: f. 184: Dorothea Barclay: 10 December 1949: Enquires whether Sargent can supply any free concert tickets to The Grosvenor Hospital for Women

98: ff. 185-186: Havergal Brian: Composer: 2-13 December 1949: Concerning arrangements to send scores of his works to Sargent

99: f. 187: Gabrielle Boitzy: 1949/50: Writes on behalf of friend Guido Mozzato who seeks work as an orchestral musician in Britain

100: f. 188: J. Blackensee: 2 December 1949: Expresses appreciation for Sargent’s two television programmes on the orchestra; requests he do a programme on the role of the conductor

101: f. 189: D.G. Walker: General Manager and Secretary: 10 November 1949: Regrets he cannot come to Hanley with the orchestra owing to a meeting

102: f. 190: Albert Baillie: 21 November 1949: Regrets he cannot come to Sargent’s concert in London on Sunday

103: f. 191: Phyllis Bedells: The Royal Academy of Dancing: 1949/1950: Request for Sargent to contribute to the Royal Academy of Dancing

104: f. 192: Daphne : 1949/40: Invitation for Sargent to join them for a drink

105: f. 193: Albert Baillie: Invitation for Sargent to share supper with him after a forthcoming concert

106: f. 194: George Bateman: 1 November 1949: Concerning Bateman’s enjoyment of a recent concert conducted by Sargent

107: ff. 195-196: Cicily M. Barnes: Undated [1949]: Request for money to help a family friend study music

108: ff. 197-198: Billy [?]: Encloses letter from a friend seeking career advice for a young music student; requests Sargent visit one day

109: ff. 199-200: Evelyn Behrens: September 1949: Thanks Sargent for letting her attend rehearsals

110: f. 201: J.C. Reason: Chairman, Bomborough Community Association Music and Drama Festival: 26 October 1949: Thanks Sargent for agreeing to become Vice-President of the Bomborough Community Association Music and Drama Festival

111: ff. 202-205: John Bath, Conductor; G.M. Turnall, Assistant Head of Programme Contracts, BBC: 21 August-30 September 1949: Correspondence concerning Bath’s application to become conductor of the BBC West Symphony Orchestra; Bath requests a testimonial which is provided by Sargent; Bath thanks Sargent after being offered the job