MS Mus. 1784/1/37

1: ff. 1-2: Zara Hore-Ruthven, Countess of Gowrie: 16 May 1955: The Countess of Gowrie thanks Sargent for a letter and flowers sent on the death of her husband; her sister wants to know if members of Sargent's orchestra require any white shirts or waistcoats

2: f. 3: Andrew Harding: 20 December 1955: Thanks Sargent for an evening during which they saw a production of Hamlet and dined at the Vendôme

3: ff. 4-8: Thomas Mervyn Horder, 2nd Baron Horder: Publisher: Katherine Hodgkin: 6 November 1955: Correspondence concerning an appeal to establish a memorial to the recently deceased Lord Horder

4: ff. 9-11: Ian Bruce Hope Hunter: Artistic Director, Edinburgh Festival: 15 September-20 October 1955: Correspondence concerning the election of Ian Hunter to the Garrick Club

5: ff. 12-13: Marina Harington Walker: 30 August-2 September 1955: Seeks help to find an old friend from Sevenoaks; Sargent cannot help

6: ff. 14-15: Josef Holbrooke: [known to Sargent from Oakham]: Letter to congratulate Sargent on reaching the age of 60

7: f. 16: John Adrian Hope, 1st Baron Glendevon: Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations: 22 July 1955: Thanks Sargent for an invitatation to a Promenade Concert; he is glad Sargent can serve on the Brussels International Exhibition Committee

8: f. 17: John [surname unclear]: Director, Hedges and Butler Limited: 14 June 1955: Invitation to attend an informal luncheon with colleagues

9: ff. 18-19: Jack Hylton: Television producer, entertainer: 18 June 1955: Invitation to attend a party to celebrate the '10,000th performance of the Crazy Gang'; Sargent regrets he cannot attend owing to a trip to the West Indies

10: f. 20: Robertson Ballard: Huddersfield Mission, Queen Street: 12 May 1955: Appeal for funds to support a renovation required by the Huddersfield Mission, Queen Street

11: ff. 21-27: Donald Payne: Editorial Department, Robert Hale Limited, Charles Rigby: Author: 23 December 1954-26 May 1955: Concerning request to write a foreword for a biography of Kathleen Ferrier by Charles Rigby; on reading the manuscript Sargent has a low opinion of the work and refuses to write the foreword

12: ff. 28-29: Kenneth Adam: General Manager, Hulton Press Ltd.: 23 May 1955: Concerning a Television Trophies scheme

13: ff. 30-31: Jeanne Heal: Journalist: 26-30 May 1955: Invitation to a lunch to discuss music and television, the interview to be photographed for publication in the T.V. Mirror; Sargent declines the offer

14: f. 32: Elizabeth M. Hayston: 30 April 1955: Request for permission to meet Sargent at a concert in Sheffield

15: f. 33: [Miss] C. Bochenek: Hon. Sec. Horder Centres for Arthritics: 2 May 1955: Request for Sargent to serve as patron of a concert at the Royal Albert Hall in aid of the Horder Centres for Arthritics

16: ff. 34-35: Violet Hurst: [Associated with the Courtauld-Sargent Concerts and Royal Choral Society]: 8 May 1955: Thanks Sargent for his recording of 'The Dream of Gerontius' and a recent performance of Hiawatha; reports on the Music Club in Barnes

17: ff. 36-38: L.F. Stafford: 8 May 1955: Encloses article on the history of the Renatus Harris Organ at St. John's Church, Wolverhampton

18: ff. 39-41: Maurice Jacobson: Composer and publisher with J. Curwen & Sons, Ltd.: 17-27 October 1955: Concerning a score of Maurice Jacobson's 'Symphonic Suite for Strings' which he wishes to send to Sargent for examination along with Francis Thompson's 'The Hound of Heaven'

19: ff. 42-43: T.W. Jackson: 12-14 December 1955: Jackson requests Sargent's autograph and asks if he remembers a Mrs Bowly; Sargent states he is connected to her by marriage and enquires of William Higham and his wife

20: f. 44: E.G. Jones: Member of Liverpool Welsh Choral Union: 16 November 1955: Requests permission to use a photograph for an article in a series entitled 'Pastimes and Pleasures' for an industrial House Magazine

21: f. 45: Gordon Jacob: Composer, teacher, writer: 25 November 1955: Sargent writes to Jacob to thank him for sending his book

22: ff. 46-49: Rae Jenkins [involved in television]: Christian Beattie: 14 August-7 September 1955: Jenkins sends a copy of a letter received for his Television Series 'Songs for the Asking' concerning an encounter with Sargent as a young chorister

23: f. 50: Editor, The Indicator: 26 August: Sargent writes concerning applause during Promenade Concerts in response to a claim made in 'The Indicator' that the applause starts a minute before the end of the music; Sargent denies this, believing audience behaviour to be very good

24: ff. 51-53: Anthony Judd: 23-27 July 1955: Requests a reference for the Bank of England in order to transfer funds to Vienna; he intends to study bassoon there with Professor Karl Oehlberger

25: ff. 54-55: Alec Gorshel: Chairman, Johannesburg Operatic and Dramatic Society: 17 June 1955: Request for Sargent to conduct performances of 'The Gondoliers' in Johannesburg; Sargent is unable to conduct owing to other engagements

26: f. 56: Gordon Jacob: Composer, teacher, writer: 23 April 1955: Thanks Sargent for performance of his piece with the National Youth Orchestra in Canterbury

27: ff. 57-59: Maurice Jacobson: 24-26 April 1955: Thanks Sargent for his performance with the National Youth Orchestra

28: f. 59: W.K. Brasher: Secretary, The Institution of Electrical Engineers: 5 April 1955: Concerning a lecture to be given by The Institution of Electrical Engineers

29: f. 60: W.A.M. van der Kallen: Dagblad de Tijd: 10 November 1955: Requests a response to a question for an article in the Dutch Roman Catholic newspaper 'De Tijd'

30: ff. 61-63: Efrem Kurtz: 7 November 1955: Concerning arrangements to meet Sargent in Liverpool

31: ff. 64-65: Asahina Takasihi: 15-19 August 1955: Request for Sargent to send a message for a 'Mozart Festival Serial Concert' in Osaka, Japan

32: f. 66: Tibor Vasvári: Bureau Hongrois pour la protection des droits d'auteur: 27 July 1955: Informs Sargent they are sending the 'Concerto for Orchestra' by Kodály

33: ff. 67-68: David E. Franklin: A. Keyser & Co. Ltd.: 9-10 August 1955: Request to conduct a concert at the Royal Albert Hall in aid of the Jews' College; Sargent is unavailable on the date required

34: f. 69: Sir David Victor Kelly: Chairman, British Council: 19 June 1955: Sargent congratulates Kelly on becoming Chairman of the British Council

35: f. 70: Alfred Kalmus: Alfred Kalmus Ltd. [music publisher]: 29 March 1955: Writes to Kalmus to request a larger copy of Mahler's Symphony No. 1 as it is too small for Sargent to see

36: ff. 71-77: Castleton Knight: 2 July 1955: Telegram of thanks [no context]

37: f. 78: Louis Kahan: Artist: 9 February 1955: Concerning a request to sketch Sargent while reading or rehearsing; refers to an exhibition at the Royal Festival Hall

38: ff. 79-81: Joy M. Laing: 3 June 1955: Request for an interview in order to present the music of Mikis Theodorakis

39: ff. 82-83: Winifred Anice Lomas: 1955: Writes concerning her inability to find a permanent job and lack of money; asks Sargent not to believe rumours about her; instructs Sargent to tear up the letter after reading it (which he has)

40: ff. 84-85: Florence Labbett: Hon. Sec. Lambeth Schools' Music Association: 23 July 1955: Request to meet Sargent concerning a concert for schoolchildren to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the founding of the Association

41: ff. 86-88: Sara [no surname – filed under 'H']: Royal Swedish Legation, Tokyo: 1 August 1955: Letters concerning her forthcoming visit to London where she hopes to meet Sargent

42: f. 89: Iris Loveridge: Pianist: 17 January 1955: Request to perform a concerto with Sargent

43: ff. 90-91: A. Pleasance: Honorary Business and Publicity Manager, London Transport Players: 5 August 1955: Request for Sargent to attend a performance of 'Yeomen of the Guard' at the Scale Theatre

44: ff. 92-93: Joan Langford Reed: Author: 25 July 1955: Request for Sargent to write a limerick for her for a new edition of 'The Complete Limerick Book'; Sargent regrets he has nothing for inclusion

45: ff. 94-95: Rev. Dominic J. Sire: Associated with the Leicester Symphony Orchestra: 25 May 1955: Request for Sargent to conduct a concert for the Leicester Symphony Orchestra; Sargent regrets he does not have the time for rehearsals

46: f. 96: [F?] Grace Groves: Leicester Women's Luncheon Club: 11 June 1955: Request for Sargent to give a talk for the Leicester Women's Luncheon Club

47: f. 97: Mabel Lander: 16 May 1955: Regrets she was away when Sargent called; on the letter is a note stating that Lander died on 18 May

48: f. 98: [name unclear]: LEP Transport Limited: 21 May 1955: Request for Sargent's signature on Letters of Subrogation in relation to Sargent's claim

49: ff. 99-101: Rev. Basil Stephen Maine: Music critic, author: 12-19 September 1955: Sargent requests Maine's answer to the question: 'did Gerontius die?'; Maine suggests the answer is uncertain and gives three possible answers

50: f. 102: Pauline Marshall: 26 November 1955: Informs Sargent she is giving the airlines his name as a referee; encloses a photograph [missing] of herself as an 'air hostess'

51: f. 103: Ashley Dukes: Mercury Theatre Trust Ltd.: 14 October 1955: Concerning the reprinting of a letter in support of an appeal for the Ballet Rambert

52: f. 104: Trevor Morgan: Tenor: 8 August 1955: Request for an audition with Sargent

53: ff. 105-106: Pauline Marshall: 10-11 August 1953: Request for Sargent to become an 'Honorary Friend' for the publication of a Birthday Book in aid of The Dr Barnardos Homes

54: ff. 107-125: Vera Murrill: [Widow of Herbert Murrill]: 4 August 1955: Concerning school report for Carolyn Murrill; letter is accompanied by a copy of the report

55: ff. 126-127: William Mabane, 1st Baron Mabane: Formerly Member of Parliament: 7 August 1955: Thanks Sargent for sending an invitation to a concert; he cannot attend owing to his wife's illness; discusses recent concerts attended

56: f. 128: Ruth Bowley: Mather & Crowther Ltd.: 6 July 1955: Request for Sargent to appear in a television commercial for Grant's Whiskey

57: f. 129: G.M. Mason: Antique collector: 28 April 1955: Enquires whether Sargent would like to buy a conductor's baton once belonging to Louis Mendelssohn

58: ff. 130-131: Evan James: Clerk of the Skinners' Company: 25 May 1955: Invitation to attend a dinner with the Court of Assistants with the Skinner's Company; Sargent declines the offer owing to a trip to Bermuda

59: f. 132: Reverend Moxon: Golder's Green Crematorium: 27 May 1955: Sargent writes to Moxom to request a copy of the Order of Service for the cremation of Mabel Lander

60: ff. 133-134: Maurice Miles: Teacher of conducting, Royal Academy of Music: 31 May 1955: Informs Sargent he is to conduct the Belfast Philharmonic Society and the City of Belfast Orchestra; Sargent suggests arranging 'an evening' on his return from the West Indies

61: ff. 135-136: Angus Morrison: [brother-in-law of Constant Lambert]: 8 June 1955: Request for information concerning the late Constant Lambert's student days; Morrison is writing his biography

62: f. 137: Egon Ronay: Managing Director, The Marquee, E. Ronay & Co. Ltd.: 7 June 1955: Invitation for Sargent to dine at Egon Ronay's new restaurant

63: f. 138: Clive Muncaster: [Aspiring conductor]: 15 March 1955: Request for a meeting with Sargent

64: f. 139: Philip Morris: Philip Morris Cigarettes: 28 April 1955: Letter to accompany a complimentary pack of cigarettes; Sargent returns them

65: ff. 140-141: J. Madon [Miss]: Music student: 27-28 April 1955: Request to sing in a concert given by the BBC Choral Society; Sargent regrets nobody may sing unless they are members of the Society

66: ff. 142-166: Violet: [friend from Melton Mowbray?]: 15 May 1955: Postcard describing a visit to Melton Mowbray; accompanies other postcards and a copy of Melton Mowbray Parish Church Magazine (May 1955)

67: f. 167: [unclear]: McGregor, Gow & Holland, Ltd.: 14 September 1955: Concerning an invoice for excess baggage

68: ff. 168-170: J.R. MacFarlane: Bristol Opera School: 7 October 1955: Request for Sargent to become a patron of the Bristol Opera School; Sargent sends a small donation

69: f. 171: Monica Van der Zyl: 1955: Request to meet Sargent; asks if he 'liked the tie'

70: f. 172: Kathleen Anderson: 1955: Request for a meeting with Sargent; refers to an occasion in the past when Sargent conducted Eileen Sharp and herself in a performance of Gilbert and Sullivan

71: ff. 173-174: Joy C. Newberry: [mother of young physically disabled girl]: Letters concerning her daughter's illness and enjoyment of orchestral concerts

72: f. 175: Jill Newberry: [young physically disabled girl]: 21 November 1955: Fan mail; accompanied by letter from her mother thanking Sargent for writing to her daughter

73: ff. 176-178: Gladys Boyd: Editor, News Chronicle: 13-27 September 1955: Concerning a questionnaire Sargent completed for publication in the News Chronicle

74: f. 179: [Mr] Nash: 12 September 1955: Sargent congratulates Nash on achieving the Fellowship of the Royal College of Organists; refers to Haydn's 'The Seasons' which Sargent suggests is too long than the time available to rehearse with the orchestra and would not sustain the attention of the audience with the cuts being made

75: ff. 180-181: Maurice Robinson: Medical doctor: 10-11 January 1956: Concerning the medical condition of a Mrs Nursey

76: ff. 182-185: Jill Newberry: [young physically disabled girl]: 23 August 1955: Sargent thanks Jill for a gift of fruit and flowers

77: ff. 186-194: Cecil Howitt: Cecil Howitt & Partners: 6 May-29 June 1955: Correspondence concerning proposed design of a concert hall in Newport about which Sargent is consulted

78: f. 195: William Richard Morris, 1st Viscount Nuffield: 1 June 1955: Congratulates Sargent on a performance of Gilbert and Sullivan which was broadcast on television