MS Mus. 1784/1/21

1: ff. 1-2: Natasha [Johnstone?]: 16 February 1950: Concerning arrangement to meet in London

2: f. 3: Parry Jones: Tenor: 7 September 1950: Request for the opportunity to sing 'The Dream of Gerontius' before it is ‘put on the shelf’

3: f. 4: D. James: 8 August 1950: Request for a signed photograph of Sargent to be sent to his nephew Malcolm (named after Sargent) on his first birthday

4: f. 5: Ivy Cavendish-Bentick, Duchess of Portland: June 1950: Request for Sargent to serve on the Invalid Children’s Aid Association’s Appeals Committee

5: f. 6: A.F. Bucknell: Institute of British Photographers: 25 July 1950: Concerning request to serve on an Exhibition Selection Jury for the Institute of British Photographers

6: ff. 7-9: Kenneth Lindsay, Chairman, International Association of University Professors and Lecturers; Thomas L. Theobald & Son; Treasurers, International Association of University Professors and Lecturers : 11 May 1950: Concerning subscription to the International Association of University Professors and Lecturers

7: f. 10: Raina Georgieva: Head of the Intellectual Cooporation Dept., International Union of Students: 24 April 1950: Request for Sargent to send a message of greeting to the International Union of Students Second World Student Congress to be held in Prague in August 1950

8: f. 11: Gladys Crook: The Imperial Concert Agency : 1 May 1950: Reports on the pleasure felt by Greek pianist Themeli on being offered engagement to play the Schumann Piano Concerto; also recommends to Sargent the violinist Helen Kwalwasser

9: ff. 12-16: Sir Parker Morris: Electoral Registration Officer, Parliamentary Constituency of the Cities of London and Westminster: 2 January-24 March 1950: Concerning Sargent’s request to be removed from the list for jury service; he is exempted following his appointment as Director of Music for the Royal Navy and Royal Marines

10: f. 17: Enoch Jackson: Orchestral trumpet player: 6 April 1950: Writes to inform Sargent he has applied for the role of sub-principal trumpet player with the BBC Symphony Orchestra

11: f. 18: Charles Wilson Lawrence: Associate Professor, Music School, University of Washington: 9 November 1950: Enquires why appoggiatura in the recitatives of ‘Messiah’ are missing in recordings by the Huddersfield Chorus conducted by Sargent

12: ff. 19-22: Evelyn Choveaux, Assistant to Contemporary Music Department, Alfred Lengnick & Co. Ltd.; B.A. de Nevers: Director, Alfred Lengnick & Co. Ltd.: 16 March-22 November 1950: Letters from Lengnick & Co. seeking to interest Sargent in contemporary works; Sargent requests the Harrison Mass

13: f. 23: Sir Gerald Kelly: Artist: 13 September 1950: Concerning a miniature Sargent would like to be painted; Kelly recommends that John Merton be asked, or otherwise he should speak to John Merton at the Royal Academy

14: f. 24: Josef Krips: Conductor: 17 November 1950: Thanks Sargent for his kind wishes and requests to meet him the following week

15: f. 25: [Unclear]: : Looking forward to Sargent’s visit

16: f. 26: Janet Evans: Hon. Sec. The Lambeth Schools’ Music Association: 29 October 1950: Thanks Sargent for accepting the role of President of The Lambeth Schools’ Music Association

17: f. 27: [Nance?] Littlewood: 25 September 1950: Writes to enclose copy of magazine [missing] on musical life in Bideford, Devon

18: f. 28: [unclear]: Joint Branch Manager, The London County Freehold and Leasehold Properties Ltd.: 24 August 1959: Confirms appointment to visit Sargent’s property

19: ff. 29-30: Rob [no surname]: The Economic League: 1 August 1950: Humorous poem entitled ‘Ode to an injured Godparent’ referring to Sargent’s recent car accident

20: f. 31: J.C. McGuire: London Head Teachers’ Association: 4 July 1950: Request to address the London Head Teachers’ Association

21: f. 32: [unclear]: Credit Manager, Keith Prowse & Company Ltd.: 11 May 1950: Informs Sargent that Keith Prowse & Company Ltd have opened an account for Sargent to pay for theatre seats on a monthly basis

22: f. 33: [unclear]: Hon. Sec. Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod: 3 April 1950: Request for Sargent to again accept the Vice-Presidency of the 1950 International Musical Eisteddfod

23: ff. 34-35: Herbert Bowers: Hon. Sec. Liverpool Male Voice Choir: 29 March 1950: Reports on the activities of the Liverpool Male Voice Choir of which Sargent is Vice-President

24: ff. 36-37: Margaret Kerr: : Request for photograph of Sargent

25: f. 38: Commander Oliver Stillingfleet Locker-Lampson: The Royal Automobile Club: 14 March 1950: Refers to Sargent’s support for the Cossacks and Lampson’s meetings to ‘clear out the Reds’ [no context]

26: f. 39: Norman Kay: 20 March 1950: Request for Sargent to help him find work as a music assistant

27: f. 40: J.M. Keeler: 7 February 1950: Offers services as Spanish-speaking secretary for Sargent’s forthcoming trip to South America

28: f. 41: Frederick Lovell: 13 February 1950: Request for Sargent to consider his Organ Concerto for performance at a Promenade Concert

29: ff. 42-44: James McClurg: South African Broadcasting Corporation: 11 November 1950: Reports he has taken Sargent’s advice and Crawford McNair will be trying to find some musicians for them [no context]

30: ff. 45-47: William McKie, Chairman of the Abbey and Choristers Association: Jocelyn Perkins: Organist and Master of the Choristers, Westminster Abbey: 29 July-15 August 1950: Invitation to be guest of honour at a dinner for the Festival of the National Federation of Cathedral Old Choristers Associations in November 1950

31: ff. 48-49: Kenneth I.E. Mcleod: Physician, amateur composer: 9 August 1950: Encloses an anthem he has composed for Sargent’s perusal

32: ff. 50-60: Bernard Miles, Member of Executive Committee, The Mermaid Theatre; Peter Daubeny: Founder, The Mermaid Theatr: 31 October-17 November 1950: Concerning Sargent’s patronage of the Mermaid Theatre; accompanied by a typescript essay describing the process of establishing the Theatre

33: ff. 61-63: W.J. Manser: 8 September 1950: Concerning a portrait of Sargent painted by his son which he submits for Sargent’s opinion

34: ff. 64-66: Bob van Marken: Dutch cellist and composer: 17 September 1950: Sends reviews of performances of his own works for Sargent’s perusal

35: ff. 67-69: [unclear]: 30 October 1950: Encloses announcement of forthcoming performance by pianist Joan Moore at the Wigmore Hall

36: f. 70: W. Alice Martyn: 28 September 1950: Souvenir of Bridlington; thanks Sargent for enabling her to have a rest by the Sea

37: f. 71: J.W. Marshall: 30 October 1950: Thanks Sargent for his performance of the ‘Messiah’

38: ff. 72-73: John Ralph Merton: Artist, engineer [see WwW]: 29 September-26 October 1950: Concerning a miniature of Sargent’s daughter, which he is creating for a locket at Sargent’s request

39: f. 74: Sir Eugen John Henry Vanderstegen Millington-Drake: HM Diplomatic Service: 12 October 1950: Invitation to dinner in honour of Douglas Fairbanks who is visiting London

40: ff. 75-79: Countess Edwina Mountbatten: The Royal College of Nursing : 16 August 1950: Concerning Appeal for the Royal College of Nursing Educational Fund

41: f. 80: Major Charles A. Mander: Mander Brothers Ltd Varnish and Paint Works: 31 July 1950: Reports he is returning Sargent’s batons which have been coated with white cellulose enamel

42: ff. 81-86: : 11-14 January 1950: Cuttings from national press concerning Frank Howe’s criticism of the speed of a Sargent performance of ‘Meistersinger’

43: ff. 87-90: M. Raymond: Metro-Goldwyn-Meyer British Studios Ltd.: 4 May 1950: Concerning permission to use a photograph of Sargent to be seen hanging on the wall in the set of the forthcoming production of the film ‘Grounds for Marriage’

44: f. 91: Vincent [surname unclear]: 20 October 1950: Thanks Sargent for his message of sympathy [no context]

45: f. 92: Arthur [surname unclear]: 30 April: Congratulates Sargent on his birthday; reports that he has three new grandchildren

46: f. 93: John Ralph Merton: Artist, engineer [see WwW]: 4 March 1950: Sends a reproduction of a drawing which Paul Laib has finished [no context]

47: ff. 94-96: Jessica Forres of Glenogil (The Lady Forres): The Overseas League Music Circle: 26 March 1950: Invitation to dine with Lady Forres prior to attending a recital organised by The Overseas League; encloses a brochure for the League

48: f. 97: W. Alice Martyn: 11 January 1950: Thanks Sargent for enabling her to buy a typewriter; she will try to repay him as soon as possible

49: ff. 98-100: Maura O’Connor: Soprano: 27 October 1950: Request for an audition with Sargent; she has given first performances in Eire of most of Bax’s songs with the composer as accompanist

50: f. 101: Robert Mayer: Founder of Robert Mayer Concerts for Children: 23 April 1950: Copy of letter to Mayer concerning Children’s Concerts in the Festival Hall

51: f. 102: : 30 September 1950: Card acknowledging Sargent’s subscription to The New Yorker magazine

52: ff. 103-104: Peter [no surname]: Magdelene College Cambridge: 24 October 1950: Asks if it would be possible for Patricia Kirkwood appearing in ‘Ace of Clubs’ to make an appearance in Cambridge

53: f. 105: Eugene Ormandy: Conductor, The Philadelphia Orchestra: 5 October 1950: Congratulates Sargent on his appointment as Music Director of the BBC Symphony Orchestra; hopes to meet again soon

54: ff. 106-115: J. Percy Wetenhall, Chairman, National League of Hospital Friends; Bridget Monckton, 11th Lady Ruthven of Freeland, Hon. Treasurer, National League of Hospital Friends: 4 July 1950: Letters from Bridget Monckton and Wetenhall requesting Sargent become a Vice-President of the National League of Hospital Friends; accompanied by Constitution of the League and promotional brochure

55: f. 116: Alan Frank: Music Editor, Oxford University Press: 29 August 1950: Suggests charge of three guineas for provision of the big score of the ‘Fantasia’ by Vaughan-Williams; looks forward to Sargent’s performance

56: ff. 117-119: Diana Buchan-Hepburn: Chairman, National Association of Girls’ Clubs and Mixed Clubs: 29 March-11 July 1950: Concerning request for Sargent to become Vice-President of the Development Fund of the National Association of Girls’ Clubs and Mixed Clubs

57: f. 120: Rev. John Nankivell: 5 May 1950: Congratulates Sargent on becoming Director of the BBC Symphony Orchestra; Nankivell suggests humorously that he should be appointed Sargent’s Chaplain

58: f. 121: Egil Nordsjø: Bass singer: 1 May 1950: Informs Sargent it will not be possible for Sargent to conduct the Messiah in Oslo next year

59: f. 122: L. Swinyard: Novello & Co. Limited: 19 November 1949: Informs Sargent they are sending a miniature score of Rosenberg’s Dance Suite from ‘Orpheus in Town’ for consideration for performances

60: f. 123: Mrs H.B. O’Dogherty: Of Transvaal, South Africa: 17 March 1950: Writes to enclose a copy of a new work for piano as a gift

61: ff. 124-139: Harry Ottway: Bandmaster, French Horn Player: 1950: Papers concerning Harry Ottway, including press cuttings, concert programmes, and a testimonial from Edward Godfrey Brown, conductor of the Belfast Philharmonic Society

62: ff. 140-143: C.L. Shard: Book Department Manager, Odhams Press Limited: 1 February 1950: Request for Sargent to write an introduction for a proposed popular book on music

63: ff. 144-145: Eleanor Panton: British Red Cross: 16 October 1950: Request for Sargent’s help to provide musical instruments for refugees in Europe

64: ff. 146-148: [not correspondence]: Portsmouth Philharmonic Society: 13 November 1950: Concert programme and press review of a Portsmouth Philharmonic Society Remembrance Day Concert 1950

65: f. 149: Dora Mary Powell: [‘Dorabella’ of the Enigma Variations]: 27 August 1950: Thanks Sargent for programming ‘The Kingdom’ and ‘The Apostles’ at The Festival of Britain; she has not heard them performed together since 1907

66: f. 150: Leslie Powe: Hector Powe Ltd. [Tailors]: 23 March 1950: Writes to enclose a pattern of black overcoating in response to Sargent’s phone call

67: f. 151: John W. Parker: 29 April 1950: Writes to enclose copy of a Guide written to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the rebuilding of Stamford Parish Church; requests Sargent approve the reference to himself in the Guide

68: f. 152: Eric C [no surname]: 1 April 1950: Enquires whether Sargent is coming to stay; he has some paintings for Sargent to view

69: f. 153: William R. Cooper: The Cathedral-Church of Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania: 19 March 1950: Writes to express his pleasure with Sargent’s recordings of ‘Messiah’ and ‘Elijah’

70: ff. 154-155: Anthony Pini: Cellist: 2 April 1950: Writes to express regret that Sargent cannot conduct the recording of Elgar’s Cello Concerto; he is not satisfied with some parts of his first recording

71: f. 156: Dorothy Pybus: [Friend in Johannesburg]: 31 October 1949: Reports on musical life in South Africa

72: f. 157: Mary Marlborough: The Royal London Society for Teaching and Training the Blind: 27 September 1950: Invitation for Sargent to attend a dinner for The Royal London Society for Teaching and Training the Blind

73: ff. 158-160: Marjorie Radford: 22 October 1950: Thanks Sargent for inspiring her appreciation of music by the Children’s Concerts in the 1930s; expresses criticism of Claudio Arrau

74: f. 161: Charles Reiner: Hungarian Pianist: 2 November 1950: Request for audition with Sargent before taking up appointment as music teacher in Canada

75: f. 162: R.F. Scott-Kiddie: Sales Manager, Ronson Products Limited: 31 October 1951: Concerning supply of gold lighters to Sargent

76: f. 163: William Leonard Reed: Composer and pianist: 25 October 1950: Writes to enclose his newly-published carol book as a gift for Sargent

77: f. 164: Sir Gerald Campbell: Royal Empire Society: 28 October 1950: Invitation for Sargent to attend a lunch-time meeting of the Royal Empire Society on 16 November 1950

78: ff. 165-168: Mary Ibberson: Rural Music Schools Association: 2 October 1950: Invitation to attend the 21st Birthday Celebration of the Rural Music Schools Association at the Royal Albert Hall on 18 November 1950; encloses promotional leaflet

79: f. 169: Joan Casson: 17 September 1950: Invitation for Sargent to share tea

80: ff. 170-171: H.E. Randerson, Schoolmaster at Arnos School, amateur composer; Sir Arthur Beverley Baxter, Member of Parliament: 29 July 1950: Randerson responds to Baxter’s request for particulars of his orchestral work ‘Britain 1940’ once performed by Sir Adrian Boult and the BBC Symphony Orchestra; refers to proposal to meet Sargent to have the work performed

81: ff. 172-177: T. Arthur Russell: Artists’ Agent: 4 August 1950: Request for a signed photograph of Sargent for a ‘Gallery of Celebrities’; encloses promotional leaflets for piano recitals by Pouishnoff

82: f. 178: Mary Irene Curzon, 2nd Baroness Ravensdale: [Undated] 1950: Request for Sargent to audition soprano Pamela Petts for oratorio work

83: f. 179: Phyllis Harding: Professional Manager, G. Ricordi & Co. (London) Ltd.: 27 July 1950: Informs Sargent she is sending scores of new works by Malipiero and Clausetti to him to consider for performance

84: f. 180: Eric Robinson: Secretary, Music Director’s Association Theatre, Light and Orchestral Committee: 16 May 1950: Congratulates Sargent on his appointment as Music Director of the BBC Symphony Orchestra

85: f. 181: William Russell: William Russell & Son [Leicester piano maker]: 11 February 1950: Thanks Sargent for cheque as payment for a Radiogram delivered to Dr. Furness

86: ff. 182-183: Royal Choral Society: April 1950: Birthday card from the Royal Choral Society

87: f. 184: Theresa A. Robinson: 20 April 1950: Sends synopsis of an opera libretto she has written for the Festival of Britain and requests that Sargent compose music for it

88: ff. 185-186: John Russell: Music Adviser, Reading Education Committee: 18 April 1950: Request for advice on becoming a professional conductor

89: ff. 187-189: H. Mollart-Rogerson; Rev. W.S. Robinson, Canon, St Mary’s, Hulme: 6-9 March 1950: Concerning Mendelssohn’s ‘Christus’ which Mollart-Rogerson hasn’t heard for 58 years and would like to hear performed again

90: f. 190: Alice, Lady Waddilove: Chairman, King George’s Fund for Sailors: 10 March 1950: Invitation to attend The Royal and Merchant Navy Ball in the Presence of the Duchess of Kent on 20 June 1950

91: ff. 191-202: 1950: Annual report of the Rural Music Schools Association 1949