MS Mus. 1784/1/28

1: ff. 1-2: Ivor Halstead: Film producer: 21-25 December 1951: Concerning a proposal to film the last night of the Promenade Concerts; Sargent agrees in principle but suggests there would be many difficulties in production

2: f. 3: [Unclear – includes Humphrey]: [music enthusiast]: 6 January 1952: Congratulates Sargent on a performance of ‘Messiah’

3: ff. 4-5: Rosemary [no surname – filed under H]: 30 January 1952 [date of concert]: Invitation for Sargent to attend a recital by her friend, the soprano Anne Balfour; encloses promotional leaflet

4: f. 6: Messrs. Theodore Hamblin Ltd.: 25 January 1952: Letter from Sargent to Messrs Theodore Hamblin Ltd. concerning charges for the repair of a broken monocle which Sargent believes has a manufacturing flaw

5: ff. 7-8: Carol Holmes: [Grand-daughter of a friend]: 30 December 1951: Letter thanking Sargent for a concert; encloses a poem about the occasion from her grandpa

6: f. 9: Herbert Norman Howells: Composer: 3 December 1951: Thanks Sargent for his performance of ‘Hymnus Paradisi’; he believes Sargent has ‘put the work on the map’

7: f. 10: Arthur L.R. Harris: Photographer: 29 October 1951: Writes to enclose photographs of an event at which Sargent was present at the City Livery Club

8: f. 11: Charles Hamilton: Music Doctor: October 1951: Request for a donation to the ‘Twenty Five Club’ which supports young people in London’s Docklands

9: ff. 12-13: Melody Hasler: Artist: Undated. [1951/52]: Request for Sargent to sit for a portrait (following earlier request)

10: f. 14: Barbara [no surname]: 6 November 1951: Concerning arrangements to meet Sargent when he conducts at the Manchester Festival Concert at the new Free Trade Hall on 22 November

11: f. 15: Marie Xenia Lathom [Countess of Lathom]: Writer: 16 April 1952: Informs Sargent that she is in London working with the firm of White Allom Ltd. and living with Lady Victoria Villiers

12: f. 16: E.C. Peters: Thames and Hudson Ltd.: 26 March 1952: Invitation for Sargent to consider writing his memoirs

13: ff. 17-23: Henry W. Taylor: Professor of Timpani, The Royal College of Music; formerly Timpanist, The London Symphony Orchestra: 28 February 1952: Writes to enclose the introduction and contents page to his treatise on the timpani; requests Sargent write a foreword

14: f. 24: W.H. [surname unclear]: Clerk, The Vintners’ Company Clerk’s Office: 11 March 1952: Concerning the rescheduling of the Swan Feast of The Vintners’ Company

15: f. 25: Minnie Thomas: 24 January 1952: Request for Sargent to autograph a book

16: ff. 26-27: Sir John Hacking, Secretary, Vertu Concerts Ltd.;H.M. Thomas: Vertu Concerts Ltd.: 9 January 1952: Request for Sargent to conduct a concert with pianist Bronwen Jones and the London Symphony Orchestra at the Royal Albert Hall

17: f. 28: [Unclear – Moulgate?]: The Times Bookshop: 18 January 1952: Concerning Sargent’s order for an edition of ‘Much Ado About Nothing’

18: f. 29: Richard Tildesley: Orchestral musician: 10 December 1951: Apologises for making a mistake during a performance of ‘I know that my redeemer liveth’ at Belle Vue, Manchester, by not following Sargent and soloist Isobel Baillie

19: f. 30: Philip P. Towell: British Forces Network: 18 October 1951: Request for Sargent to contribute to a radio programme for The British Forces Network in Germany in which famous people are invited to choose their favourite music or poetry

20: ff. 31-32: Ben Travers: Playwright: 1 November-1 December 1951: Concerning proposed members of the Garrick Club; Sargent is not in favour of Martyn Green becoming a member

21: ff. 33-34: Loyal de Valario-Fenn: 13 November 1951: Enquiry about the name of a concerto

22: ff. 35-36: Muriel Tait: 26 October 1951: Reports on her holiday and requests a photograph of Sargent

23: ff. 37-41: Ljerka Spiller: Violinist: 26 March 1952: Seeks Sargent’s help concerning a concert in London which is no longer going ahead; encloses his letters to the BBC and British Council and a promotional brochure

24: ff. 42-43: Herbert Evans, Josephine Evans: 23 March 1952: Herbert Evans enquires whether Sargent can employ his daughter Josephine as a secretary; Josephine thanks Sargent for his reply

25: ff. 44-45: John Anthony Alexander Rous, 4th Earl of Stradbroke: Lord-Lieutenant and Custos Rotulorum for the County of Suffolk: 17-21 April 1952: Concerning a proposal to recommend Mr Hallam to receive an Honour from the Sovereign; copy of Sargent’s reply

26: ff. 46-49: Sheila [no surname]: [friend at Hartland Abbey]: 12-25 March 1952: Concerning her return from holiday and arrangements to attend concerts and meet Sargent in London

27: f. 50: Sheila K. Smith: 21 April 1952: Seeks secretarial work

28: ff. 51-53: R.J.L. Johnston: Director, Sidgwick & Jackson Ltd Publishers: 12 March 1952: Encloses brochure for ‘The World’s Encyclopaedia of Recorded Music’

29: f. 54: Maj. Gen. A.J.K. Pigott: Southwark Cathedral Organ Appeal Committee: 28 February 1952: Request for Sargent to give a recital at Southwark Cathedral in aid of the Organ Appeal Fund

30: ff. 55-56: Percy Hoskins: Hon. Sec. ‘Saints and Sinners’ Club of London: 23 February 1952: Announcements of events at the ‘Saints and Sinners’ Club of London

31: ff. 57-63: John F. Oppenheimer: Secretary, Memorial Committee for Artur Schnabel: 23 November-6 December 1951: Correspondence concerning the establishment of a Memorial Committee for Artur Schnabel; includes abstract of the minutes of an organization meeting

32: ff. 64-66: R.C. Parker: Barclays Bank Limited: 5 December 1951: Encloses an enquiry he has received from a country gentleman who seeks musical employment for her daughter

33: ff. 67-68: Tom W. Speakman: Percussionist, Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra: 2 December 1951: Concerning a vacancy for a timpanist in the BBC Symphony Orchestra

34: ff. 69-73: J.V. Sethi: 2-18 December 1951: Correspondence concerning a proposal to establishment a National Music Scheme; Sargent is sceptical of the plan

35: f. 74: Edward Charles Sackville-West, 5th Baron Sackville: Music critic and novelist: 29 October 1951: Concerning the success of ‘The Record Guide’; proposes to meet Sargent for lunch

36: f. 75: M. Stuart-Ferguson: Rest home manager: 3 October 1951: Request for Sargent to support a Rest Home for aged and sick musicians in Birmingham

37: ff. 76-80: Robert Simpson: Composer, musicologist; Music Division, British Broadcasting Corporation: 28 September 1951: Request for Sargent’s support to promote the music of Carl Nielsen

38: ff. 81-82: Charles J. Steed: Music teacher: 17 December 1951: Request for Sargent to autograph the first page of a book for his daughter

39: f. 83: R.H.R. Lloyd: Swansea Festival of Music and the Arts: 21 January 1952: Invitation for Sargent to conduct a performance of ‘Isreal in Egypt’ at the Swansea Festival of Music and the Arts on 18 October 1952

40: ff. 84-87: Major H. Spencer Johnson: February 1952: Writes to Sargent to give personal opinions on the connection between art and spirituality; includes anecdote about a meeting with artist William Holman Hunt

41: ff. 88-91: E.O. Frank: Hon. Sec. Southwark Cathedral Organ Appeal Committee: 4 March 1952: Letter enclosing agenda for a meeting of the Southwark Organ Appeal Committee and minutes of previous meeting

42: f. 92: Mary Irene Curzon, 2nd Baroness Ravensdale: President or Vice-President of a number of Societies: 1951/52 [before 11 May]: Postcard proposing to meet Sargent for supper

43: f. 93: George O. Richards: Secretary, The University of Leeds Institute of Education: 27 March 1952: Request to use Sargent as a reference to apply for a research post at the University of Leeds Institute of Education

44: f. 94: Victor H. Finney: J. Arthur Rank Organisation Limited: 16 April 1952: Seeks to help a musical colleague find employment

45: f. 95: William Buchan: Editor, The Reader’s Digest Association Ltd.: 9 April 1952: Request for Sargent to write an article for ‘The Reader’s Digest’

46: f. 96: Edward G. Riviera: Musician: 17 March 1952: Request for advice on pursuing a music career

47: f. 97: William Leonard Reed: Composer, pianist, author: 5 March 1952: Thanks Sargent for agreeing to write a preface for his book ‘Music of Britain’

48: f. 98: William J.A. Hahn: Programme Secretary, Rotary Club of Camberwell: 13 February 1952: Request for Sargent to speak at a Ladies’ Luncheon and Flower Show for the Rotary Club of Camberwell

49: ff. 99-102: Beryl Du Pre, [Briefly acquainted with Sargent when staying at Hartland Abbey]; Dorothy Roberts: Pianist: 19 December 1951: Du Pre seeks Sargent’s advice on obtaining a piano for young Australian pianist Dorothy Roberts; Roberts thanks Sargent for his appeal resulting in a gift of £500 from a Mr. Hallshom of Sydney

50: ff. 103-110: [not correspondence]: The Royal Society: 30 November 1951 [date of event]: Plan of tables, menu and toasts for The Royal Society Anniversary Dinner at the Dorchester Hotel on St. Andrew’s Day 1951

51: ff. 111-112: Richard Pickett: Tate Gallery: 15 November 1951: Letters concerning Pickett’s search for regular employment with gramophone companies in London

52: f. 113: William Gaspard Guy Romilly, 4th Baron Romilly: Retired soldier: 5 October 1951: Writes to enclose some material for a white waistcoat; reports on holiday in Marbella

53: ff. 114-115: Ruth Ranken: 14 October 1951: Writes to enclose copy of a song she has composed on the Victor Hugo poem ‘Guitare’

54: ff. 116-124: R.A. Raphael: The Ramsey Chemical Dinner: 25 [month unclear] 1951: Letter and telegram concerning invitation for Sargent to act as Chairman for The Ramsey Chemical Dinner

55: ff. 125-127: Phyllis Harding: Professional Manager, G. Ricordi & Co.: 5 November 1951: Writes to enclose press reviews of Pietro Clausetti’s ‘San Giuvanni Latterano’

56: ff. 128-130: Kenneth Payne: 29 September 1951: Request for a meeting with Sargent to introduce a ‘new art-form’ named ‘tonescript’

57: f. 131: Lucy Pratt: 27 March 1952: Enquires whether her son who is a cellist may join a BBC Orchestra

58: ff. 132-133: Eustace Pett: Musician, conductor, composer: 27 February 1952: Seeks work as a conductor

59: ff. 134-137: Joan Penman: [Music enthusiast]: 2 February-14 March 1952: Letters requesting the opportunity to write a biography of Sargent

60: ff. 138-142: A.D. Hammond: 16 February 1952: Encloses a poem about her trip to hear ‘Messiah’ at the Royal Albert Hall

61: f. 143: Dorothy Pybus: [Friend in Johannesburg]: 8 December 1951: Personal letter reporting on life in Johannesburg; she has sent Sargent a Christmas parcel

62: f. 144: Ann Peters: College student: Undated [1951/52]: Thanks Sargent for the Season of Promenade Concerts and invites him to visit before they go to South Africa

63: f. 145: David Parkes: Plymouth Orpheus Society: 17 April 1952: Seeks advice concerning artists to book for a forthcoming production of Verdi’s ‘Requiem’ by the Plymouth Operatic Society

64: f. 146: Derek Adkins: Max Parrish & Co Limited: 25 January 1952: Enquires whether Sargent wishes to write a book containing his reminiscences

65: ff. 147-148: Eva L. Phillips: 16 January 1952: Seeks to sell to Sargent a postcard signed by Richard Strauss to help pay off her debts

66: ff. 149-150: G.J. Millen: Telephone, Manager, Post Office: January 1952: Notices of termination of agreements as a result of The Telephone Act, 1951

67: f. 151: E. Edward: The Penarth Choral Society: 1 December 1951: Invitation to become President of the newly-formed Penarth Choral Society; encloses draft constitution

68: ff. 152-154: Oscar [surname unclear]: [friend in Johannesburg]: 28 December 1951: Reports on orchestras in South Africa; describes a ‘high old row’ at the City Orchestra

69: ff. 155-177: Celia Noble: [self-described as Dowager Lady Noble]: 15 March 1952: Encloses schedule for the Mid-Somerset Festival of Music, Elocution and Drama; requests Sargent attend to present prizes

70: f. 178: Ginty: [friend in Northern Ireland]: 17 April 1952: Personal letter thanking Sargent for his message; requests a signature to give to a friend

71: f. 181: Ernest A. Parsons: Timpanist: 17 February 1952: Concerning scheduling of an audition for employment in the BBC Symphony Orchestra

72: ff. 182: Irene Astor: Newspaper Press Fund: 25 February 1952: Request for a donation to the Newspaper Press Fund

73: f. 183: [unclear – children’s names: Jennifer, Carol, Peter, Osborne, and James]: Friends of Sargent’s son Peter: Undated [1951/52]: Request for Sargent’s autograph

74: f. 184: Alan Frank: Oxford University Press Music Department: 16 January 1952: Informs Sargent that John Gardner’s Symphony is to have a first London performance; offers to arrange for Sargent to see the score

75: f. 185: Jean [no surname]: 24 December 1951: Invitation Sargent to attend a meeting of her musical society which meets in her house

76: f. 186: E. Morton: : Writes to enclose a press cutting [missing] concerning pianist Mr Sykes, who she believes ‘should not be doing such unsuitable work’

77: ff. 187-192: Thomas Mackay: 25 November 1951-1952: Concerning a manuscript score sent to Sargent for his opinion

78: ff. 193-194: Sir Alec Martin: Managing Director, Christie, Manson & Woods Ltd.: 4-25 February 1952: Concerning organ building at St. Colombus Church on which Sargent agrees to advise

79: ff. 195-196: George Meredith [first name unclear]: 13 February 1952: Suggests Sargent give a performance of the ‘Requiem’ composed by his mother

80: f. 197: Claude Macaux: French music student: 26 January 1952: Seeks advice on studying in England during the summer; Sargent notes ‘colleges closed’ and ‘Proms from 26 July rehearsals’

81: f. 198: J.C. Medley: Field Roscoe & Co [Administrator of the Allan Aynesworth Appeal Fund]: 31 January 1952: Concerning Sargent’s Deed of Covenant for the Allan Aynesworth fund

82: f. 199: M. Bradley: Secretary, Mander Brothers, Ltd Varnish and Paint Works: 28 November 1951: Acknowledges receipt of Sargent’s batons for re-varnishing

83: f. 200: Marjorie W. Barnes: Headmistress, Tottenham High School for Girls: 29 December 1951: Requests for Sargent be guest of honour at the speech day of the Tottenham High School for Girls