MS Mus. 1784/1/40

1: ff. 1-5: Sidney Fell: Clarinettist: 7 August 1957: Request to play concertos conducted by Sargent

2: ff. 6-11: W.R. Fell: The Scottish National Orchestra Society: 3 January 1957-23 January 1957: Request for Sargent to conduct the Scottish National Orchestra

3: ff. 12-13: R.J. Forbes: Associated with the Hallé Orchestra: 3-13 March 1957: Writes to enclose gift of a letter [missing] from Edward Elgar to Arthur Johnstone (music critic of the Manchester Guardian) concerning The Dream of Gerontius; Sargent is 'thrilled' to receive it because all his own letters from Elgar were destroyed [by bombing during the war]

4: ff. 14-15: Susan Heppard: Stage Manager, A. Francis: Old Vic: 9-13 March 1957: At Heppard's request, Sargent writes to A. Francis at the Old Vic to recommend her for theatre work

5: ff. 16-19: Jean Furness: [Friend from Melton Mowbray]: 30 December 1936-27 February 1957: Furness seeks work for some Hungarian orchestral musicians and appeals for support for the Melton Mowbray organ fund; Sargent states the foreign musicians would not be welcomed by British orchestras and he is unable to support the organ appeal; refers to the erratic behaviour of his son Peter

6: ff. 20-23: Jean Furness: [Friend from Melton Mowbray]: 27 February 1957: Thanks Sargent for attending the wedding of her daughter Margaret; requests a contribution towards a television set which the couple plan to purchase

7: ff. 24-29: Erica E. Feeney: [music enthusiast on the Isle of Wight]: 15 February 1957: Writes to enclose a poem [missing] she has written about music; reports on her state of mind and opinions on music

8: f. 30: Mrs Gomi: [friend in Japan]: 11 September 1957: Sargent thanks Gomi for the gift of a book of photographs belonging to her late husband (which includes photographs of Sargent)

9: ff. 31-33: Jennie E. Goodwin: 16-19 August 1959: Concerning some white collars belonging to her late husband which she wishes to donate to orchestral musicians; Sargent thanks her for the offer and suggests she send them to the BBC Concert Manager

10: f. 34: Percy Grainger: Composer: 25 April 1957: Grainger writes from Sweden requesting to meet for a meal when in England in May; reports on his recovery from ill health and a recent trip to Denmark; postcard has a picture of Stockholm Town Hall

11: ff. 35-39: Véronique Coates Soprano [was married to the late Albert Coates], [Mrs] G. Gibson:: 1 August-7 September 1959 [correct date]: Coates writes to introduce the work 'Little Alfie' for narrator and orchestra by Albert Coates; Gibson supplies the scores to Sargent

12: ff. 40-41: Garrett Smith: Conductor, Birmingham St Cecilia Orchestra: 4 November 1957: Seeks to locate a score and parts for 'Rule Britannia' and the 'Fantasia on British Sea Songs'

13: ff. 42-45: J.T. Pollock Gard: 29 July 1957: Writes poem in response to a caricature appearing in the Daily Mail concerning the death of Sargent's budgerigar; Sargent thanks Gard for his 'extraordinary effusion'

14: ff. 47-48: Gillian D.W. Griffith-Colpoys: Formerly secretary-receptionist at 5 Devonshire Place: 16 July 1957: Requests a used conducting baton for her son who is a music enthusiast

15: ff. 49-51: George R. Girt: The London Gramophone Circle: 5-7 June 1957: Writes to enclose letter [later returned] from a Russian member of the London Gramophone Circle acclaiming Sargent's recent performances in Russia

16: f. 52: H. Lowe: Secretary, Beefsteak Club: 30 April 1957: Concerning the election of Sargent's candidate Commander Harold Greenfell to the Beefsteak Club

17: f. 53: 'Boofy' [?]: Associated Newspapers Ltd.: 14 January 1957: Request for Sargent to audition a 21 year old pianist named Jenny Ashworth

18: ff. 54-57: Lucy M. de Graff: [American tourist]: 22-26 March 1957: Encloses a letter written to the Editor of The Times disagreeing with a review of a concert; requests a signed photograph; Sargent writes to thank her and sends a photograph

19: f. 58: John Gibbens: Medical doctor: 25 February 1957: Writes to enclose medical prescription for the sedative Tuinal

20: ff. 59-62: Eric Bimrose: Music Organiser, Hertfordshire County Council: 31 July-9 September 1957: Concerning request for Sargent to write a programme note for the series of orchestral concerts for Secondary Schools arranged by the Hertfordshire Education Committee

21: f. 63: Betty Upton Hughes: Representative of New Zealand Newspapers [married to Arthur Jacobs]: 12 February 1957: Enquiry concerning evening gowns worn by women in orchestras, relating to a planned newspaper article

22: ff. 64-66: Ralph [Hall?]: Honorary Assistant Secretary, City Glee Club: 2 February 1957: Invitation for Sargent to attend a meeting of the City Glee Club; encloses a programme for a Concert given by the Club

23: ff. 67-69: Marjorie Harper: Member of the Royal Choral Society: 8 January 1957: Request for Sargent's comments on her arrangement of his 'Cherry Tree Carol' for female voices

24: ff. 70-75: Rosa Hood: [Cousin of musician Percy Hilder Miles]: 9 January 1957: Writes to enquire whether Sargent is interested in the music of Percy Hilder Miles; encloses her biography of Miles and a programme for a concert given by the Rosa Hood School of Music

25: ff. 76-78: J.L. Smyth: [friend from Melton Mowbray days]: 4 January 1957: Request for Sargent to 'give a helping hand' to the son of a friend who is a pianist named Malcom Henderson

26: ff. 79-86: Christopher Hales: Music teacher; Formerly conducting student of Sargent: 28 March -5 April: Enquiry about the acoustics of church bells concerning which Hales has developed a scientific theory; on the second letter Sargent writes a note to his secretary: 'Write me a précis!'

27: ff. 87-88: Frank Howes: President, The Royal Musical Association: 3 April 1957: Request for Sargent to write a paper on Elgar for the next season's programme; Sargent does not have time to commit

28: ff. 89-93: Frank Howes: Music Critic, The Times: 2 May 1957: Correspondence with Howes concerning 'authenticity' in the performance of Handel; Sargent regrets that those who continue to perform using the 'Victorian method' are unjustly considered unscholarly

29: f. 94: Alastair [no surname]: Undated [1957]: Thanks 'Uncle Malcolm' for the ticket to watch 'Petrushka'; they look forward to seeing him

30: ff. 95-98: Christopher R. Hopper: Manager & Secretary, Royal Albert Hall: 12-14 August: Correspondence concerning Sargent's complaints about noise near the artists room, and latecomers causing a distraction when admitted to the hall

31: ff. 99-102: Elsa Herzog: Journalist: 7 August 1957: Request to interview and photograph Sargent

32: ff. 103-104: Dennis Hunt: Music teacher: 13 August 1957: Request for rehearsal tickets

33: ff. 105-106: Hamish Hamilton: Managing Director, Hamish Hamilton Ltd Publishers: 1-4 November 1957: Sargent writes recommending for publication a book by Sir John Balfour, which he believes is badly shaped but could be 'put in order'; Hamilton disagrees it can be fixed and requests Sargent write his own biography

34: ff. 107-108: Jean Jenkins: Secretary, London District Committee, National Paul Robeson Committee: 12 March 1959: Request for Sargent's views on political activist Paul Robeson in support of an appeal by the National Paul Robeson Committee; Sargent sees no reason to comment on the matter

35: ff. 109-113: Frances Murphy: Appeals Secretary, Institute for the Study and Treatment of Delinquency: 10 January-5 February 1957: Request for Sargent's signature in support of an appeal by the Institute for the Study and Treatment of Delinquency; encloses a leaflet about the Institute

36: ff. 114-116: Florence Jones: Formerly member of the Royal Choral Society: 19 January 1957: Writes to express displeasure at the press ignoring Sargent's trip to Texas but reporting about his son Peter who has been on trial in court; Sargent suggests he has been keeping a low profile for that reason

37: ff. 117-118: Florence Jones: Formerly member of the Royal Choral Society: 23-26 March 1957: Preparations for the forthcoming visit to the Nursing Cottage of the Queen following the Derby earthquake of 1957; Sargent reports he is performing the ballet 'Petrouchka' and mentions his difficulties with son Peter

38: ff. 119-120: Philip Albert Inman, 1st Baron Inman: Publisher: 4 January 1957: Request for Sargent to write an article for a book with the theme 'My Philosophy of Life'; Sargent regrets he does not have time

39: ff. 121-124: Sir James Steuart Wilson: International Music Fund: 11 February 1957: Thanks Sargent for his support for the International Music Fund; encloses brochure concerning the Fund

40: ff. 125-127: Joan Garrett-Pegge: Private Secretary to the Viscountess Kilmuir, Viscountess Kilmuir, John Bryant and Son: 27 June-6 August 1957: Concerning payment for the cleaning of memorials at Stoke churchyard, Hartland

41: ff. 129-150: Gay Christiansen: Hon. Sec. The Kensington Society: 13-14 August 1957: Request for Sargent to give a lecture to The Kensington Society, also enclosing the Annual Report for the Society; Sargent declines

42: ff. 151-183: Olga Koussevitsky: The American International Music Fund, Inc., D. Ritson Smith: Honorary Secretary, Royal Philharmonic Society: February 1956-11 February 1957: Correspondence concerning a concert in memory of conductor Serge Koussevitsky in aid of the International Music Fund

43: ff. 184-185: [unclear]: [Friend in New York]: 28 January-9 March 1957: Concerning Sargent's order for the score of Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No. 4

44: ff. 186-187: W. James Gaddarn: The London Orpheus Choir: 31 October-5 November 1957: Writes to enclose particulars of a concert to be given by the London Orpheus Choir

45: ff. 188-190: Joyce Hill: [Music enthusiast]: 515 September-5 November 1957: Request for Sargent to sign a photograph

46: ff. 191-192: Evelyn I. Lewis: 23 October 1957: Request for support to produce a ballet for which Lewis has written a preliminary script and Anton Dolin has expressed an interest; Sargent is unable to help

47: ff. 193-194: Michael Lubbock: 19-22 July 1957: Informs Sargent of his divorce and remarriage