MS Mus. 1784/1/33

1: ff. 1-3: Ernest Bradbury: Music critic: 13 April 1954: Correspondence debating the correct tempo at which Haydn's 'Creation' should be performed:

2: f. 4: Arthur Bliss: Composer, conductor, Master of the Queen's Music: 1 April 1954: Request for Sargent to conduct his 'Song of Welcome' which is to be broadcast on 15 May:

3: ff. 5-10: Erling Blöndeal Bengtsson, Cellist, Gregor Piatigorsky: Cellist 25 August-28 November 1955: Letters and press cuttings concerning Danish cellist Erling Blöndeal Bengtsson including letter of recommendation from Piatigorsky:

4: f. 11: Donald Brook: Author: 20 November 1954: Request for interviews with Sargent in order to write a small biography commissioned by Brook's publisher:

5: f. 12: William T.W. Ballantyne: The Society of British Aircraft Constructors, Ltd: 27 January 1954: Informs Sargent of dates for the Society of British Aircraft Constructors Displays in Farnborough in 1954:

6: ff. 13-14: Albert E. Chapman: Conductor, Brighton and Hove Harmonic Society: 15 February 1954, 1 March 1954: Request for a meeting with Sargent:

7: f. 15: Major Richard Culling Carr-Gomm: Soldier: 7 March 1954: Invitation to dinner:

8: f. 16: Gwendolyn Avril Coleridge-Taylor: Pianist, conductor, composer [daughter of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor]: 29 March 1955: Copy of letter from Sargent concerning agreement with Hiawatha Coleridge-Taylor for a birthday performance:

9: ff. 17-19: Harriet Cohen: Pianist: 29 March 1955: Invitation for Sargent to act as President of the Council of the Harriet Cohen International Music Awards; Sargent expresses concern at the quality of compositions submitted previously for the Olympic Music Medal:

10: f. 20: Václav Dobiáš: President, Union of Czechoslovak Composers: 2 March 1954: Request for Sargent to send a message on an Almanach to be produced on the occasion of the 50^th anniversary of Dvořák's death:

11: ff. 21-22: Václav Dobiáš: President, Union of Czechoslovak Composers: 5 February 1955: Award of a Dvořák Medal to Sargent on the occasion of the 50^th anniversary of the composer's death:

12: ff. 23-24: R.A. Denniston: Collins Publishers: 9-21 February 1955: Request for a quotation from Sargent expressing admiration for Edward Elgar to be used in a forthcoming biography of the composer by Percy Young:

13: ff. 25-31: Austen Brooks: Deputy Editor, 'Candour' Magazine: 25 January 1955: Congratulates Sargent's support for the second verse of the National Anthem; encloses copy of 'Candour'; invites Sargent to join the League of Empire Loyalists; Sargent declines believing it a mistake to ' 'shout' aggressively one's patriotism' as a frequent traveller:

14: ff. 32-33: William Everitt: Hon. Sec. BBC Choral Society, Charles E. Critchfield,Engineer: 31 October 1954-13 January 1955: Everitt requests Sargent sponsor his son-in-law Charles Critchfield to become elected Fellow of the Society of Arts; Critchfield later thanks Sargent for his help:

15: ff. 34-44: Gordon S. Bessey: Director of Education, County Education Office, Cumberland: 4 February 1955: Writes on behalf of Cumberland Education Committee to invite Sargent to give an address at the Cumberland Musical Gathering 1955; accompanied by copies of the Cumberland Music Bulletin (1954):

16: ff. 45-47: Charles Barratt: Chairman of the Management Committee, Coventry School of Music: 17 December-6 January 1955: Request for Sargent to make a BBC radio appeal on behalf of the Coventry School of Music; Sargent declines owing to his forthcoming trip to America:

17: ff. 48-49: Wilfred C. Stiff Hon. Sec. Louis Cohen Testimonial Fund, James Rushworth: Hon. Sec. Louis Cohen Testimonial Fund: December 1954: Reports that the Louis Cohen Testimonial Fund of which Sargent was a signatory has reached a total of £2,000:

18: ff. 50-51: R.D. Gibson: J & W Chester Ltd.: 4-19 February 1954: Responses to a complaint by Sargent about the poor condition of hired scores of 'La Boutique fantasque':

19: f. 52: Pablo Casals: Cellist: 13 August 1954: Thanks Sargent for invitation to perform with him in London: French

20: f. 53: Constance Mary Elderkin: Hon. Sec. Christian Remembrance Club: 17 July 1954: Invitation to join the Christian Remembrance Club, of which Charles Groves is a member:

21: ff. 54-58: Rev. Malcolm Douglas: [old acquaintance formerly associated with Bradford Choral Society]: 29 March-1 April 1955: Reports on a recent illness and forthcoming marriage:

22: ff. 59-61: A.F. Dolman: Dolman and Sons Solicitors: 10 February-6 April 1955: Concerning the building of a new concert hall in Newport on which Sargent is to advise:

23: f. 62: Cile Domini: Soprano: 5 April 1955: Request for Sargent to provide an opportunity to sing in England:

24: f. 63: Alfred Davis: Davis' Theatre (Croydon) Ltd.: 17 March 1955: Request to sponsor his election as a Fellow of the Zoological Society of London:

25: f. 64: [not correspondence]: Denison House Limited: Undated [1954/55]: Leaflet for Council Chamber bookings at Denison House:

26: ff. 65-66: John [surname unclear]: Manager, Trustee Department, Barclays Bank Limited: 24 August 1954: Concerning an operatic composition by a Miss I.M. Crewe, deceased, funds for the performance of which have been left on her death; Sargent believes the money 'would be better spent elsewhere':

27: ff. 67-71: Audrey Jupp: Secretary, Union for Democratic Control, Ben Parkin: Secretary, Union for Democratic Control; Member of Parliament: 17 May 1954: Encloses petition for a campaign against German rearmament, organised by the Union of Democratic Control:

28: f. 72: Michael Kennedy: Music Critic, Daily Telegraph: 3 May 1954: Sargent's response to a Kennedy's critical review of a performance of 'Solomon' with the Welsh Choral Union:

29: f. 73: M. de Wolfe: De Wolfe Music Publishers and Printers: 22 February 1954: Concerning Graham Whettam's Second Symphony which Sargent has agreed to examine:

30: f. 74: Pat [no surname]: [Probably old Stamford friend]: Undated [1954/55]: Sargent seeks early photographs of himself taken by a Stamford photographer named Bird:

31: f. 75: William Dring: Artist: 10 December 1953: Accepts invitation to make a charcoal drawing of Sargent at Sargent's request:

32: f. 76: Wilfrid Crisp: Director of Music, Epsom College: 2 March 1954: Invitation to judge the house music competition at Epsom College:

33: f. 77: P.G. Hummerstone: Eastbourne Singers and Eastbourne Male Voice Choir: 10 January 1955: Request for a message from Sargent to be included in a programme for the visit of a Dutch Choir:

34: ff. 78-80: John Hone: Editor, 'Everybody's' magazine: 25 November-17 December 1954: Concerning an article about 'Messiah' for the magazine 'Everybody's':

35: f. 81: Ellen Vincent: Assistant Editor, Eagle: 1 January 1954: Encloses copies of 'Eagle' on behalf of Macdonald Hasting; expresses hope Sargent will contribute to an article on conducting:

36: ff. 82-83: Eileen[?] 18 September 1954: Requests gramophone records for Guy Rolfe who is in hospital:

37: ff. 84-86: Winifred M. Ferrier: [sister of Kathleen Ferrier]: 4-14 April 1955: Request for a contribution to her biography of Kathleen Ferrier; Sargent warns that people are interested in Kathleen Ferrier 'rather than what people think of her':

38: ff. 87-88: Harry Foster: Fosters Agency Ltd.: December 1954-January 1955: Concerning a proposal for a motion picture company to make a short film in which Sargent conducts a programme of popular music:

39: f. 89: Beatrice Mary Grenville Morgan-Grenville [Lady Kinloss] 24 December 1954: Thanks Sargent for an earlier conversation; reports on Clement's musical education [Clement von Franckenstein (b.1944), whose parents Sir George Franckenstein and wife Editha were killed in a plane crash in 1953]:

40: ff. 90-92: Dominic Le Foe 14 December 1954: Encloses details of proposal to establish a 'Liberal Association of the Arts':

41: ff. 93-94: D.M. Rendell 6-13 September 1954: Sargent responds personally to Rendell's letter to the Editor of 'The Times' which asked facetiously whether Sargent's performance of the overture to 'The Marriage of Figaro' was completed in 'record' time:

42: f. 95: George Fearon: Theatre Press Representative: 10 August 1954: Request for Sargent to send a letter to The Times promoting composer of musicals Julian Slade; Sargent declines:

43: f. 96: A.J. Gowing 25 September 1954: Request to act as Vice-President for a Holiday Home and Sanatorium in Switzerland for British Children:

44: f. 97: Jos de Groen: Principal Bassoonist, South African Broadcasting Corporation: 1 October 1954: Request for Sargent to act as referee in support of application to join Johannesburg Reed Trio:

45: f. 98: Barbara Holland: Lady-in-waiting to the Duchess of Gloucester [Writes on behalf of Alice Christabel Montagu Douglas Scott, Duchess of Gloucester]: 7 November 1954: Request for Sargent to stay with the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester at Barnwell Manor following a forthcoming performance at Peterborough Cathedral:

46: ff. 99-104: Edith Nerwick [Chernin]: Southern Rhodesia: 31 May 1954: Writes to enclose her compositions for violin for Sargent's criticism; also includes letters recommending the works:

47: f. 105: John McMichael: Group 3 Limited: 9 December 1953: Request to make a guest appearance in a film entitled 'The Nightingale'; Sargent is interested:

48: ff. 106-107: Frank Howes: Music Critic, The Times: 28 March-1 April 1955: Discussion of Sargent's implication (which he denies) that he should be given a 'free-hand' in music programming at the BBC:

49: f. 108: Tom M. Johnson: Manager, Houston Symphony Society: 1 April 1955: Invites Sargent to be guest conductor of the Houston Symphony Orchestra in 1957:

50: ff. 109-110: Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Hennessy: Royal Navy: 16-30 March 1955: Accepts an invitation from Sargent; later writes to enclose some photographs [missing] of the event, which is unspecified:

51: ff. 111-112: D. Jessel: Chairman, Hendon Operatic, Choral and Dramatic Society: 2 April 1955: Requests financial support for the Hendon Operatic, Choral and Dramatic Society:

52: ff. 113-114: George Higgins: Associated with The Anonymous Players, Blackpool: 12 March 1955: Requests Sargent select gramophone recordings to accompany their forthcoming performance of 'Macbeth', in order to generate interest:

53: f. 115 Cultural Attache, Hungarian Legation: 24 March 1955: Seeks help to obtain a score of Kodaly's Violin Concerto:

54: f. 116: Hamish Hamilton: Managing Director, Hamish Hamilton Ltd Publishers: 21 March 1955: Sargent thanks 'Jamie' for his advice concerning a foreword to a book about Kathleen Ferrier; Sargent hopes to be justified in turning it down:

55: f. 117: S.J. Murdoch: Buyer, Piano Department, Harrods Ltd: 7 March 1955: Acknowledges letter with enclosure from a Mrs Davis; they will try to help:

56: ff. 118-121: H.A.J. Woolfenden: M. Hohner Ltd.: 2 February 1955: Request for Sargent to record on tape his approval for the use of the Harmonica in education; the recording will be played at subsequent demonstrations by the company; encloses promotional brochure:

57: f. 122: John Hollingsworth: Conductor: 21 February 1955: Sargent expresses opinion that Hollingsworth should mark up his own scores of Beethoven Symphonies rather than borrowing his own; it will then be a 'Hollingsworth performance' rather than an imitation of himself:

58: ff. 123-124: Marjorie Halford 8 January 1955: Request for Sargent to sign an autograph book:

59: f. 125: Betty Upton Hughes: Writer and journalist [married to Arthur Jacobs]: 30 June 1954: Request to write a book about Sargent:

60: ff. 126-128: H.C.G. Holtkamp 11 January 1955: Request for scores of Christmas carols conducted by Sargent on a radio broadcast:

61: f. 129: Frank D. James: Estate Office Manager, Harrods Ltd, Furniture Auction Galleries: 24 November 1954: Concerning a desk Sargent wishes to sell at auction:

62: ff. 130-134: K.H. Bentley: 'Tape-Riter' Sales, Hartley Electromotives Ltd: 14 April 1954: Send details of the 'Tape-Riter' Dictating and Recording Machine at the request of Sargent's secretary Petronelle Reynolds:

63: ff. 135-137: Frank Howe: Music Critic, 'The Times': 20 December 1954: Concerning the singing of Latin in English carols which Howe believes should correctly be pronounced in an old English rather than Italian style:

64: f. 138: Rt Rev. Eric Knightley Chetwode Hamilton: Domestic Chaplain to the Queen: 31 August 1954: Confirms Sargent's forthcoming visit on 5 December:

65: f. 139: Alice Dixon: The Henry Wood Gramophone Circle: 17 September 1954: Thanks Sargent for the Proms Season and for allowing her to attend rehearsals:

66: ff. 140-141: Hubert Hales: 17 August 1954: 17 August 1954: Concerning his work 'Pastoral Music' in which Sargent has expressed an interest but the BBC have declined:

67: f. 142: Marjorie Hall City Glee Club: Requests for Sargent to make a contribution to a radio broadcast about her father entitled 'Coronations played for'.:

68: ff. 143-145: G.K. Hopper: Manager, Royal Albert Hall: 18-27 April 1954: Sargent makes a complaint about stewards and late-comers distracting him during a performance; the Manager states there is little that can be done about it:

69: ff. 146-151: Sir Roger Sewell Bacon: Chief Justice, Gibraltar: 26 November 1952: Recommends a new Symphony by A.H. Hamilton-Gordon for Sargent to consider for performance; encloses a letter from Hamilton-Gordon about the work:

70: f. 152: André Jolivet: Composer: 18 September 1954: Thanks Sargent for his conducting of a performance of his trumpet concerto at a Promenade Concert: French

71: f. 153: Malcolm Johnstone: J.B. Johnstone Ltd. Military Tailors and Outfitters: 17 December 1954: Concerning a blue jacket which Johnstone offers to re-make at no extra charge believing the original design unsuitable:

72: ff. 154-155: Michael Joseph: Michael Joseph Ltd [Publisher]: 24 January 1955: Copy of letter from Sargent's secretary to enclose Sargent's foreword to Winifred Lawson's autobiography 'A Song to Sing-O!':

73: f. 156: Jervis Smith: Secretary, The Institution of Electrical Engineers: 5 August 1954: Invitation to a Dinner of The Institution of Electrical Engineers:

74: f. 157: Stephan Karpeles: Member of the Garrick Club: 7 November 1951: Writes to enclose piano score of Pfitzner's opera 'Palestrina':

75: f. 158: R.J. Brack: The Leicester Music Club: 1 March 1948: Request for Sargent to visit the Leicester Music Club:

76: f. 159: Haydn Lewis: Derbyshire Education Committee: 30 January 1955: Requests the return of a manuscript score of his orchestral work 'London's Day':

77: ff. 160-163: [forename unclear] V.D. Lang [Mrs]: [friend from Peterborough]: 26 March-4 April 1955: Concerning Sargent's request for childhood photographs:

78: ff. 164-168: Kei-ichi Kurosawa: [friend in Japan]: 3 March 1955: Correspondence referring to Sargent's recent trip to Japan; subjects include Kurosawa's Madrigal Society to which Sargent sends scores of carols, arrangements for the return of Sargent's foreign currency, and a forthcoming recital by Toyomasu at the Wigmore Hall:

79: ff. 169-175: H.M. Customs and Excise: LEP Transport Limited: S.E. Saliba: 13-25 January 1955: Concerning customs issues arising from Sargent's trip to Japan:

80: ff. 176-180: E. Churchman: LEP Transport Limited: 4-30 March 1955: Concerning insurance claim following the loss of items to be returned from Japan:

81: ff. 181-182: Fritz Spiegl: 23-26 March 1955: 26 March 1965: Request for Sargent to perform chamber music for the Liverpool Chamber Music Group and Wind Ensemble:

82: ff. 183-189: Lomas: Winifred Anice Lomas: 26 January 1952-3 November 1953 [dated items]: Seeks financial support owing to being unable to find work:

83: ff. 190-192: A.K. Lawrence: Royal Academy of Art: 10 December 1953-5 March 1954: Correspondence concerning a drawing of Sargent conducting at the Royal Albert Hall completed by Lawrence:

84: f. 193: Arthur L. Radcliffe: Hon. General Secretary, Bromborough Community Association Music Drama and Dancing Festival: 12 January 1955: Request for Sargent to serve as Vice-President of the Bromborough Community Association Music Drama and Dancing Festival for a second year:

85: f. 194: Olivia Vernon Mulholland: Woman of the Bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother: 26 March 1955: Writes to enclose letter inviting the Queen Mother to a concert given by the National Youth Orchestra:

86: ff. 195-197: Philip H. Morton 14 March 1955: Concerning songs composed by Morton to be sent to Sargent for examination:

87: ff. 198-199: Herbert Kelham: Solicitor, of Stamford: October 1954: Writes on behalf of the Darby & Joan Club:

88: ff. 200-211: Ruth Kendall 1953: Concerning a violin which she is obliged to sell:

89: ff. 212-213: Alfred A. Kalmus: Music publisher: 1955: Concerning a score of Mahler's first symphony