MS Mus. 1784/1/26

1: f. 1: Christian Dupriez: Programmer and Musical Commentator, Institut national Belge de radiodiffusion: 9 April 1951: Writes to enclose text of a programme note for a recording made by Sargent [text in French]

2: ff. 2-4: Frank Howes: Music Critic, The Times: 11 August 1951: Personal letter covering various topics, including Sargent’s annoyance at a paragraph appearing in The Times

3: f. 5: M. Alice Martyn: 14 July 1951: Request to see Sargent conduct when he next visits Hull

4: f. 6: Bernard Miles, Founder, The Mermaid Theatre; Josephine Wilson, Founder, The Mermaid Theatre: Undated [1951]: Request for donations to ‘The Mermaid Theatre’; Sargent donates £10

5: f. 7: Monica Mander: [Wife of Sir Charles Mander]: 21 June 1951: Advises Sargent to send his batons for repaire to her husband Sir Charles Mander of Mander Bros., John Street, Wolverhampton

6: f. 8: Bernard Law Montgomery (Montgomery of Alamein): Field Marshall: 18 May 1951: Writes on behalf of Captain Bradley who has composed a Symphonic Suite named ‘The Western Desert’ and would like to see it performed in England

7: f. 9: W. Attewell: Meltax Taxi Service: 9 May 1951: Concerning payment of account with Meltax Taxi Service

8: ff. 10-13: William G. Luscombe: Museum Press Ltd.: 23 April 1951: Enquires whether Sargent has considered writing an autobiography

9: f. 14: A. Bryan Eagles: Melton Mowbray Urban District Council: taq June 1951: Invitation to open the Festival of Britain Celebrations in Melton Mowbray

10: f. 15: Frank Thistleton: Organising Secretary, Musicians’ Benevolent Fund: 11 April 1951: Seeks assistance to help select a suitable candidate to receive The Evelyn Parsons Scholarship

11: f. 16: Evan James: Clerk of the Merchant Taylors’ Company: 17 April 1951: Invitation for Sargent to attend a Dinner with the Court of Assistants at the Merchant Taylors’ Company

12: f. 17: Andrew MacLaren: Retired Member of Parliament: 7 August 1951: Offers Sargent his best wishes on recovery from illness

13: f. 18: Raine [?]: 26 April 1951: Invitation for Sargent to attend the christening of their son

14: f. 19: Ethel F. Ness: 2 September 1951: Thanks Sargent for a letter and photograph sent to a late family member [no context]

15: f. 20: J.C. Colligan: Secretary-General, National Institute for the Blind: 11 May 1951: Request for Sargent to support an appeal for the National Institute for the Blind by attending a meeting as their ‘star guest’

16: ff. 21-23: Lilias [no surname]: 9 March 1951: Personal letter recounting previous occasions in the company of Sargent; offers to cook dinner for him when she visits London

17: f. 24: Mary Nixon: 16 May 1951: Writes concerning an impoverished elderly neighbour named Daisy Kirby for whom Sargent is the ‘one and only interest in her lonely life’

18: ff. 25-26: [not correspondence]: The National Youth Brass Band: Undated [1951]: Brochure for The National Youth Brass Band of which Sargent is President

19: ff. 27-40: H. Ortner: Secretary General of the International Musical Olympiad: July 1951: Encloses document ‘Information on International Music Olympiad’

20: f. 41: A. Norman Baker: Hire Library, Oxford University Press: 17 May 1951: Request for Sargent to return the ‘Belshazzar’s Feast’ material

21: f. 42: Alan Frank: Music Editor, Oxford University Press: 11 June 1951: Writes to enclose copy of the book ‘Keys to the Keyboard’ by Andor Foldes for which Sargent contributed a foreword

22: ff. 43-49: Daphne Padel: Journalist: 5 July 1951: Encloses copy of article about Sargent’s home and furniture for the magazine ‘Modern Woman’

23: ff. 50-51: Harry Platts: Member of the Royal Choral Society: 12 October 1951: Request for a meeting with Sargent to obtain his advice [subject unspecified]

24: ff. 52-56: : [1951]: ‘Get well’ card from ‘The Promenaders’ with pages of signatures

25: ff. 57-58: N. Peal, 54 Burlington Arcade: Undated [1951]: Receipts for pyjamas

26: ff. 59-61: Leonard Cohen: Director, Pakamac Ltd Manufacurers of Plastic Rainwear: 5 September 1951: Letters concerning Sargent’s order of a Pakamac

27: f. 62: Rev. P. Basil Phelps: Organising Secretary, Southern District of The Missions to Seamen: 16 August 1951: Thanks Sargent for their meeting and invites him to stay

28: ff. 63-67: Jocelyn Perkins: National Federation of Cathedral Old Choristers Associations: 14 March 1951: Encloses a transcription of a speech given by Sargent at a dinner for the Festival of the National Federation of Cathedral Old Choristers Associations; includes reminiscences of his early musical education in the church

29: 68-69: Dorothy Pybus: [friend in South Africa]: 24 April 1951: Concerning 7 boxes of cigars she has acquired for Sargent; reports on her recent activities in South Africa

30: f. 70: John Boynton Priestley: Writer: 10 April 1951: Writes to enclose copy of his latest book which he believes will amuse Sargent

31: f. 71: Dora Powell: [‘Dorabella’ of the Enigma Variations]: 27 April 1951: Concerning the performance of Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1 at the Ceremonial Opening of the Festival of Britain at the Royal Festival Hall which she believes ‘should be played as Elgar wrote it’

32: ff. 72-73: Dorothy Temperley [née Read]: 1 May 1951: Wishes Sargent good luck for the Ceremonial Opening of the Festival of Britain at the Royal Festival Hall

33: ff. 74-78: A.W. Emberson: The Royal Copenhagen Porcelain Co. Ltd.: 11 June-24 August 1951: Invoices for purchases made by Sargent from The Royal Copenhagen Porcelain Co. Ltd.

34: f. 79: Gladys Ripley: Contralto: 14 August 1951: Writes to wish Sargent a quick recovery from illness

35: ff. 80-81: George Karl Russell: Piano builder: 20 August 1951: Letters from Russell concerning the repair of Sargent’s grand piano

36: f. 82: Charles Reiner: Hungarian Pianist: 25 June 1951: Thanks Sargent for his audition and support to secure employment as a music teacher in Montreal

37: ff. 83-84: Judy Hollins

[surname identified by letter of 12 October 1957]: [Friend in Cheltenham]: 15 July 1951: Expresses gratitude for a concert; Nora would like to see Sargent when she visits London for the Festival

38: ff. 85-86: Franz Reizenstein: Composer: 25 September 1950: Letter to promote Reizenstein’s composition “Voices of Light”; includes catalogue of his published works

39: f. 87: Edward [no surname]: 23 April 1951: Request for reference for “Bournemouth job”

40: ff. 88-89: T. Elved Williams: Town Clerk, Torquay: 12 March 1951: Request for Sargent to suggest potnential musical directors for the Torquay Municipal Orchestra

41: ff. 90-91: Rupert Erlebach: Secretary, The Royal Musical Association: 31 May 1951: Request for application for Sargent and his guests for a reception on 18 June marking the inauguration of Musica Britannia

42: f. 92: T. Arthur Russell: Artists’ Agent: 9 May 1951: Congratulates Sargent on the opening concert of the Festival of Britain

43: ff. 93-95: David W.J. Willmott: Recorded Productions (London) Ltd.: 16 May 1951: Promotional material for the company

44: f. 96: Kenneth W. Richmond: Halstead Secondary Modern School: 3 July 1951: Request for Proms rehearsal tickets for 32 schoolchildren

45: f. 97: L.C. [surname unclear]: Steinway & Sons Piano Makers: 17 September 1951: Report on Sargent’s Bechstein Grand which has ‘become sluggish through lack of use’

46: f. 98: P. Steed: St. Mary’s Church, Barnes: 16 September 1951: Informs Sargent of the death of Williams Irons, previously member of the Royal Choral Society

47: ff. 99-100: [not correspondence]: 29 August 1951: Press cutting from ‘The Times’ of 29 August 1951 concerning the recently-deceased Artur Schnabel

48: ff. 101-103: M. Rahman: Secretary, South East Asia Committee: 11 August 1951: Request for Sargent to support their cause concerning the Rawalpindi Conspiracy Case; encloses two letters concerning the Case

49: f. 104: Melford Stevenson: 5 September 1951: Request for Sargent to support his nomination of Wilfrid Dykes Bower for the Garrick Club

50: f. 105: Helen Scarr, Star Inn, Alfriston, Sussex; Lois J. Hawkins, Star Inn, Alfriston, Sussex: 13 August 1951: Wishes Sargent a quick recovery from illness; thanks him for signing their scrapbook

51: f. 106: Richard Stanley: Undated [1951]: Request for two tickets for a concert with Myra Hess on 31 August 1951

52: ff. 107-108: Foxie[?]: [Of Croxteth]: 10 August 1951: ‘Get well soon’ message

53: f. 109: Solomon [Solomon Cutner]: Pianist: 12 August 1951: ‘Get well soon’ message

54: f. 110: Philip Sainton: Composer and viola player: 14 August 1951: Concerning a forthcoming performance of his 'Serenade', which Sainton will conduct if Sargent is still unwell

55: ff. 111-112: Percy Hoskins: Hon. Sec., ‘Saints and Sinners’ Club of London: 20 July 1951: Letters concerning proposed members of the ‘Saints and Sinners’ Club

56: f. 113: H. Marshall Palmer: Conductor, Stamford Choral & Orchestral Society: 1 August 1951: Enquires about some Schubert Psalms Sargent had previously recommended for performance

57: ff. 114-116: Donald A. Richardson: Soldiers’, Sailors’ & Airmens’ Families Association: 29 May 1951: Request for Sargent to conduct a concert at the Royal Albert Hall for the Soldiers’, Sailors’ & Airmens’ Families Association Forces and Families Day; encloses a brochure for the Association

58: f. 117: Sheila: [friend at Hartland Abbey]: 24 June 1951: Invitation for Sargent to accompany them to see ‘Kiss me Kate’ (as they have a spare ticket) and dine afterwards

59: f. 118: John R. Simmons: Photographer: 16 April 1951: Writes to enclose two prints of Sargent at the Royal Festival Hall with the compliments of ‘Look’ Magazine

60: f. 119: [forename unclear] G. Stafford: [Stamford resident]: 4 May 1951: Congratulates Sargent on his performance at the Opening Ceremony of the Festival of Britain at the Royal Festival Hall

61: ff. 120-122: Virginia [no surname]: [friend in Yorkshire]: 23 January 1951: Recommends Sargent hear pianist Joe Cooper at a concert in York on 15 March

62: ff. 123-124: G.C. Swanson: Mayor of Stamford: 10 May 1951: Receipt for tickets for the Civic Ball in Stamford on ‘Festival of Britain’ week

63: ff. 125-127: A. Topolsky: Violinist in Cordoba: 28 February 1951: Request to perform as a soloist with Sargent

64: ff. 128-129: Dorothy W. Tait: [friend in Edinburgh]: 24 June 1951: Describes her first impressions of the Royal Festival Hall and Sargent’s performance of Elgar’s Symphony No. 1

65: f. 130: Kendall Taylor: Pianist: 11 September 1951: Enquires what cuts are to be made in their forthcoming performance of Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No. 3

66: ff. 131-132: Ann Turner: Concert Manager: 19 July-12 August 1951: Concerning her application to become General Manager of the Royal Festival Hall, for which Sargent offers his support

67: ff. 133-134: Beryl Taylor: 27 July-2 August 1951: Request for Sargent give advice to a young aspiring conductor

68: ff. 135-136: Shelagh: 11 April: Personal letter thanking Sargent for lunch

69: f. 137: Henry W. Taylor: Timpanist, London Symphony Orchestra: 16 April 1957: Informs Sargent of his resignation from the London Symphony Orchestra

60: ff. 138-143: T. Elved Williams: Town Hall, Torquay: 18 April 1951: Thanks Sargent for his suggestion which he will pass on to the committee [no context]; accompanied by a programme for performances at The Pavilion, Torquay

61: ff. 144-145: P. Stanhope Williams: 9-30 August 1951: Seeks Sargent’s advice concerning a Broadwood piano once belonging to Sir Charles Villiers Stanford

62: f. 146: Major Pen Co. (Sales) Ltd.: Undated [1951]: Instructions for use and guarantee for a UHU Ink Ball Pen

63: f. 147: Elena Rennett: Chairman, Guildhall Dinner Committee, United Nations Association: 17 April 1951: Invitation to a dinner in aid of the United Nations Association to be held in the presence of the Prime Minister and Lady Violet Bonham-Carter

64: f. 148: George Ivan Smith: Director, United Nations Association: 21 June 1951: Thanks Sargent for permitting the United Nations Association to make use of one of his recordings

65: ff. 149-151: Mervyn Vicars: Conductor: 17-25 April 1951: Request for a reference in support of an application to become conductor of the Bournemouth Municipal Orchestra; subsequently acknowledges Sargent’s concern that he has never seen him conduct

66: ff. 152-153: Peggie M. Whitman: Orchestral violinist: 14 October 1951: Request to borrow some violin and piano music; enquires whether there is a vacancy in the BBC Variety Orchestra

67: f. 154: William Stanley Vann: Organist and Master of the Choristers, Chelmsford Cathedral: 14 September 1951: Informs Sargent he has received the score of the first two movements of a symphony by Ernst Schau; enquires whether Sargent would like to see them

68: ff. 155-156: Alan R. Gilbert: Thomas Wing, Ltd [Tailors]: 21 September 1951: Writes to enclose a collar they have made to Sargent’s exact requirements

69: ff. 157-158: W.R. Davis Taylor: Entertainments Manager and Hon. Sec., 1951 Wembley Music and Drama Festival: 10-11 July 1951: Letters concerning financial accounts of the 1951 Wembley Music and Drama Festival

70: ff. 159-160: William Walton: Composer: Unclear [1951]: Copy of letter from Sargent to Walton reporting on the success of a performance of Belshazzar’s Feast and asking three questions concerning the orchestration; answered on a postcard by Walton

71: ff. 161-162: Pauline Whitecroft: 1 July 1951: Request for permission to attend a rehearsal at the Royal Albert Hall

72: f. 163: Graham Whetton: Amateur composer: 27 December 1950: Writes to enclose a copy of his score ‘Red Cliffs and the Sea’ which Sargent had previously agreed to examine

73: ff. 164-166: Sir James Steuart Wilson: Deputy General Administrator, Royal Opera House: 20 June 1951: Request for Sargent to sign a letter voicing opposition to the body named ‘The Musicians Organisation for Peace’ owing to its Communist sympathies; Sargent refuses for the reason that he has made his views known already

74: ff. 167-169: Martin Wilson: 19 June-20 July 1951: Letters protesting about a remark attributed to Sargent quoted in the ‘Daily Telegraph’ concerning international diplomacy

75: f. 170: L.A. Whowall: Secretary: 15 June 1951: Seeks work as a secretary

76: ff. 171-172: Peggy S. Worthy: Member of ‘AMFA’ (Appreciation of Music in all Forms of the Art): 4 September 1951: Request for a signed photograph of Sargent for the Secretary of ‘AMFA’ (Appreciation of Music in all Forms of the Art)

77: f. 173: Tom & Peggy: Humphrey Perkins School, Barrow-on-Soar: 4 May 1957: Congratulates Sargent on a performance which they watched on their newly-acquired television

78: f. 174: H.E. [Watson?]: Daily Telegraph: Undated [1951]: “Get well” message

79: ff. 175-178: E.A. Yates: 25 August 1951: Apologises for a story appearing in the local press as a result of a practical joke by her son (who claimed to have rehearsed with the BBC Symphony Orchestra); press cutting enclosed

80: f. 179: F.O. Williams: 10 April 1951: Request for tickets for a forthcoming performance of ‘Mikado’ which was incorrectly advertised as not being by invitation only

81: ff. 180-181: Elsie V. Worssam: 24 May 1951: Enquires whether Sargent is interested in mysticism

82: f. 182: Ronald Wilkinson: Playright: 4 May 1951: Invitation for Sargent to attend the first night of his new comedy ‘Taking Things Quietly’ at the Ambassadors Theatre on 30 May 1951; requests Sargent second a proposal for Wilkinson to become a member of the Garrick Club

83: f. 183: [Not correspondence]: 2-8 August 1951: Clinical chart showing Sargent’s temperature while suffering a fever

84: f. 184: Howard Thomas: Producer in Chief, Associated British-Pathe Limited: 29 February 1952: Invitation for Sargent to attend the luncheon of the Associated British-Pathe Limited

85: ff. 185-186: Valentina Aksarova: Soprano: 15 March 1952: Request for an audition with Sargent

86: f. 187: M.E. Atkinson: Bedford College for Women (University of London): 11 January 1952: Request for permission to attend a rehearsal

87: f. 188: Barbara [no surname]: 7 November 1951: Writes concerning her treatment for polio

88: f. 189: Andre Andreas: 30 January 1952: Request for an appointment with Sargent; states he is ‘from the Society Restaurant’

89: f. 190: D.G. Rolfe: Manager, Men’s Coats Department, Aquascutum Ltd.: 22 January 1952: Concerning Sargent’s request for a raincoat in a darker blue material

90: f. 191: Doris Boye: Secretary, Tom Arnold Ltd. [theatre tickets]: 27 December 1951: Encloses tickets for Sargent’s party to attend the circus

91: f. 192: Kenneth Anderson: Governor and Commander-in-Chief, Gibraltar: Undated [1951/52]: Appeal for donations for The King’s Chapel, Gibraltar; Sargent gives £5

92: f. 193: Derek Adkins: Max Parrish & Co. Ltd: 4 December 1951: Thanks Sargent for accepting an advance copy of ‘Gilbert and Sullivan’ by Arthur Jacobs; requests an endorsement

93: f. 194: F.J. Hesketh-Williams: Anglo-Spanish League of Friendship: 22 October 1951: Encloses brochure for The Anglo-Spanish League of Friendship

94: ff. 195-197: Christabel Aberconway: [married to Henry Duncan McLaren, 2nd Baron Aberconway]: 27 October 1951: Request to be introduced to ‘The St Dennis Silver Band’ from St Austell at a competition

95: ff. 199-202: Bestley [Miss]: Undated [sent 1951/52]: Encloses article from The New Penny Magazine entitled ‘Men who Wield the Bâton’ for Sargent’s interest