MS Mus. 1784/1/42

1: ff. 1-2: Tom Wilkinson: 31 May-4 June 1957: Letter to accompany a book by Ronald [no context] requesting Sargent help find reviewers

2: ff. 3-10: Colin E. Whitaker: Aspiring conductor: 22 January-27 May 1957: Seeks Sargent's help to further his career as a young conductor

3: ff. 11-14: Jessica Wood: [Daughter of Henry Wood]: 19-29 April 1957, 28 Feb (1957?): Concerning Sargent's dismissal as Chief Conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra. Concerning tickets for concerts at Maida Vale Studio

4: ff. 15-21: William Walton: Composer: 2-26 February 1957: Correspondence concerning the successful premiere of Walton's Cello Concerto and an invitation for Walton to compose a work for the 125th anniversary of the Royal Choral Society

5: ff. 22-26: Edith Williamson: 15 February 1957: Describes life in Ayrshire and her appreciation of Sargent's concerts; seeks Sargent's help to find work; the envelope has been marked 'nuisance'

6: ff. 27-29: [Mr] Wardle: National Pets Club: 4 March 1957: Invitation to become President of the National Pets Club; Sargent declines and states he is not in favour of pet shows as it 'leads to the discomfort of the animals'

7: ff. 30-31: Anthony Sinclair: Chairman of the Music Society, Younger Technion Society: 26 June-8 August 1957: Request for Sargent to become President of the Young Technion Society; Sargent requests more details

8: ff. 32-34: Alfred B. Kent: Y.M.C.A National Service and General Fund: 21 January 1957: Concerning request for Sargent's support for a Stock Exchange Y.M.C.A Appeal

9: f. 35: Helia [no surname]: Undated [1956/57]: Concerning gift of a gramophone record from Sargent

10: ff. 37-38: Allan Aynesworth: 3-6 May 1958: Offers congratulations on Sargent's 63rd birthday; reports he has become 'very blind'

11: ff. 38-40: Norman Allin: 1 May 1958: Encloses a transcription of a piece of extemporary speaking from Sargent on the BBC radio programme 'Brains Trust'

12: ff. 41-42: Jessie E. [unclear]: Alexandra Day [charity]: 28 February 1958: Encloses minutes of a committee meeting for The Rose Ball

13: f. 43: Edgar Asher: Photographer: 30 January 1958: Request for permission to take photographs of Sargent during a rehearsal

14: ff. 44-45: Rev. W. Edgar Clarke: Ancient Monuments Society: 31 December-2 January 1958: Invitation for Sargent to become a Fellow of the Ancient Monuments Society

15: f. 46: Val Parnell: Associated Television Limited: 31 December1957-1 January 1958: Concerning proposal from Max Bygraves for Sargent to appear in the television broadcast 'Sunday Night at the London Palladium' on 9 March; Sargent is unavailable

16: ff. 47-49: Cecilia Arcana: Singing teacher: 17-21 January 1958: Request for an employment reference; Sargent suggests he is not familiar enough with her work to be able to help

17: ff. 50-57: Joan Boyles: 5-18 February 1958: Correspondence concerning a woman who has been threatening towards Sargent, Joan Boyles, and her friends, and who alleges Sargent has a 'relationship' to her son [unspecified]; Sargent doesn't wish to become involved but doesn't object to Boyles contacting the police

18: ff. 58-60: Sir Eric Vansittart Bowater: 5-6 May 1958: Request for Sargent to assist Julius Hegyi, conductor of the Chattanooga Symphony Orchestra, to make acquaintances with prominent musical figures during his visit to the UK; Sargent suggests he come to a concert to meet

19: ff. 61-64: James Butt: Composer: 4-6 May 1958: Request for Sargent to perform an organ concerto he has written; Sargent agrees to look at the score later in the year

20: ff. 65-67: Thomas Humphrey Brooke: Secretary, Royal Academy of Arts: 8 May 1958: Sargent writes to Brooke to thank him for his hospitality; refers to a comment made by the Earl of Dalkeith quoted in the Daily Mail; accompanied by press cutting of relevant article in the Daily Mail

21: ff. 68-70: Norman W. Barnes: Member of the Royal Choral Society: April 1958: Writes to thanks Sargent for his 30 years as conductor of the Royal Choral Society, which corresponds with his own 30 years as a member; reminisces on his own experiences with the RCS

22: ff. 71-72: Sidney W. Barnes: Amateur pianist: 21 February 1958: Seeks advice on how to become a professional pianist; Sargent recommends he join his local music club to find opportunities for playing in public

23: f. 73: [Mrs] Bowes: 7 February 1958: Letter from Sargent to Bowes to enclose a letter from Miss Eileen Davis of Roivaniemi, Finland, who seeks Sargent's recordings available in the Arctic Circle; also to enclose photographs of Sargent with Sibelius "for the 'planet' sleeve"

24: f. 74: Helen F. Bantock: Widow of Sir Granville Bantock: 8 December 1957: Thanks Sargent for his performance of Sibelius's 3rd Symphony which was dedicated to her late husband Sir Granville Bantock

25: ff. 75-77: L.[F?]. Boyd: The Globe Publishing Company Ltd.: 16 November 1957: Encloses order forms for the publication 'Grove's Dictionary of Music and Musicians'

26: ff. 78-79: J. Robert Bradley: Director of Music, Sunday School Publishing Board: 1-7 November 1957: Request for permission to use a translation used in a programme for the 'Messiah'

27: ff. 80-81: William T.W. Ballantyne: The Society of British Aircraft Constructors, Ltd., [Mr] Patient: [Royal Albert Hall?]: 4 November 1957: Request for Sargent to reserve a box for a Royal Choral Society Christmas Carol Concert; request is forwarded to Mr Patient

28: ff. 82-85: [Miss] H.H. Butterfield: Italian language teacher: 30 January 1957: Thanks Sargent's secretary Sylvia Darley for receiving her sympathetically and giving the address of Sir Robert Mayer; accompanied by prospectus for Butterworth's Regent School of Languages

29: ff. 86-87: Charles Barratt: Coventry School of Music: 9-30 January 1958: Request for Sargent to make a broadcast appeal for the Coventry School of Music; Sargent is unavailable on the day of the appeal

30: ff. 88-90: Captain Geoffrey Corah: [Acquainted with Sargent from Leicester]: 2-3 February 1958: Request for help to obtain artists for a charity concert; Sargent declines as a request from himself would make it difficult for the artists to refuse if they wished

31: ff. 91-92: Peter Bradley: John Calder (Publishers) Ltd.: 28 Novembe4-4 December 1957: Encloses a 'Concert-Goers Annual' for which Sargent wrote an introduction with a cheque for his contributor's fee

32: f. 93: [no name]: 4 December 1957: Concerning photographs of Sargent and Madame Nishi in Japan which Sargent returns as he does not wish to purchase them

33: f. 94: Martin Cooper: Editor, The Musical Times: 28 November 1957: Sargent expresses agreement with a controversial article written by Cooper; refers to the quality of string playing and his policy concerning the turnover of personnel in the Royal Choral Society

34: ff. 95-96: Martin Cooper: Editor, The Musical Times: 30 November-2 December 1957: Concerning Sargent's claim to have had 2,000 voices singing 'Now is the Month of Maying'; Sargent describes the occasion

35: f. 97: Sir Alexander George Montagu Cadogan: Chairman of Board of Governors, British Broadcasting Corporation: 2 December 1957: Sargent offers his best wishes on Cadogan's retirement from the BBC

36: f. 98: Christopher & Co., Ltd.: 13 November 1957: Certificate for the removal of duty paid spirits

37: f. 99: St John Mildmay Cappiani: Member of the Incorporated Society of Musicians: 5 November 1957: Request for Sargent to audition Australian tenor Anthony Strange

38: ff. 100-102: Norman Coombe [forename derived from later letters]: 6-8 November 1957: Concerning a proposed piano recording of Christabel Marillier's light opera 'Rose and the Ring'

39: ff. 103-105: A.E. Dyson: Department of English, University of North Wales, Bangor: 15-18 February 1958: Request for Sargent to sign a letter to The Times calling for the decriminalisation of homosexuality; Sargent does not agree it should be made legal because it may encourage youth, though he believes the law should not be used to take action against private offences

40: f. 106: Stephan Deak: Leader of the Durban Civic Orchestra: 3 September 1957: Requests appointment with Sargent

41: ff. 107-113: Edward G. de Rivera: Member of Royal Choral Society: 9 November 1957-24 February 1958: Correspondence concerning Riviera's requests to take rehearsal of the Royal Choral Society

42: f. 114: Suzanne Danco: Violinist: 18 February 1958: Writes to express regret she has been obliged to cancel her 'Shéhérazade' with Sargent in London

43: ff. 115-116: Christopher Davenport: Trombonist: 9-10 December 1957: Request for a reference for the Davenport's solicitors

44: ff. 117-118: Norma [?]: [friend in Hanley – see letter of 15 February 1948]: 29 November-2 December 1957: Following earlier meeting, informs Sargent she is working as an assistant manageress in London; Sargent invites her to visit

45: ff. 119-121: H.A. Humphrey: Book Division, Daily Express: 18 October-27 November 1957: Correspondence concerning proposal to produce a book accompanied by music recordings

46: ff. 122-123: John D. Wood & Co. [Auction, Land, Estate & Valuation Offices]: 11 February 1958: Request for a reference for Sargent's Secretary Sylvia Darley in order to rent a flat

47: ff. 124-125: Anton Dolin [Sydney Francis Patrick Chippendall Healey-Kay]: Dancer, Choreographer, Doris Davison: Secretary to Anton Dolin: 17 March 1956-22 October 1957: Informs Sargent he is sending a copy of 'The Rite of Spring' which was used for rehearsals in Paris by Nijinsky and requests Sargent to conduct the first performance of a new ballet he is creating; later asks for the return of the score in order to loan it to the National Book League

48: ff. 126-127: Clifford G. Enticknap: 22-23 April 1958: Sargent writes to Enticknap to inform him that there is no possibility of performing his Oratorio as 'the effect on the hearer would be of an unbearable monotony'

49: ff. 128-133: Commander A.C. Elliot: Formerly Senior Officer, Royal Air Force: 5 January-10 February 1958: Correspondence concerning Elliot's efforts to sell a painting of Handel in his possession to the Royal Society of Musicians; on the envelope Sargent's secretary has written 'This man is a bore – take care'

50: ff. 134-135: Gilbert McAllister: The Educational Group of the Musical Instrument Association, Rt. Hon. Derick Heathcoat Amory: Chancellor of the Exchequer: 25 February 1958: At the request of McAllister, Sargent writes to the Chancellor of the Exchequer in support of the abolition of the 60% tax on musical instruments

51: f. 136: Marian Ellison: [Secretary of a Members Club? Also associated with Sargent through Hartland Abbey]: 19 December 1957: Regrets that Sargent was unable to join them for dinner; reports on the success of the Club

52: ff. 137-138: Douglas Clark: Deputy Editor, Evening Standard: 31 October-21 November 1957: Concerning arrangements for the Evening Standard Drama Panel to meet to pick the Drama Award dinners

53: ff. 139-142: John D. Fellows: Organist: 30 April 1958: Concerning proposal to raise money for improvements to a church organ [the location of the organ is unidentified]; Sargent offers advice

54: ff. 143-147: Erica E. Feeney: [music enthusiast on Isle of Wight]: 6-21 March 1958: Writes to Sargent describing her suffering of depression and alleged domestic abuse; Sargent offers his sympathy and good wishes

55: ff. 148-157: Jean Furness: [Friend from Melton Mowbray]: 30 October 1957-23 February 1958: Personal correspondence; refers to the Melton Mowbray organ fund and the education of her grandchildren; requests to meet or telephone Sargent for discussion; Sargent reports on his son Peter's activities

56: ff. 158-160: Lilian Fagge: [Friend originally from Melton Mowbray], Jean Furness: [Friend from Melton Mowbray], Judy Hollins: 12 October-12 November 1957: Furness and Hollins inform Sargent that Fagge has been in hospitals and had both legs amputated; Sargent sends flowers; Fagge sends a letter of thanks

57: ff. 161-162: Kathleen Freeman : [Associated with The National Council of Women in Great Britain]: 14 September 1957: Writes to enclose a collection of carols for consideration for performance at the Carol Concert at the Royal Albert Hall

58: f. 163: Edward Carter: The Gordon Fraser Gallery Ltd: 7 May 1958: Request for the Gordon Fraser Gallery in co-operation with the Royal Festival Hall to produce a picture postcard of Sargent for a series of postcards of prominent musicians

59: ff. 164-165: Derrick A. Greeves: The Methodist Church, Westminster Central Hall: 19-24 March 1958: Request for an employment reference for Leslie Jones in relation to the position of Music Director for the Central Hall; Sargent recommends him but only from what he has seen

60: f. 166: Peter Earl: Publicity and Advertising Department, Grundig (Great Britain) Ltd: 10 February 1958: Request for Sargent's views on using tape recorders for recording music; Sargent declines

61: f. 167: [Mr] Gibson: 24 February 1958: Sargent thanks Gibson for a book about Gibson's famous father [no context]

62: f. 168: Alec Guinness: Actor: 27 February 1958: Concerning an interview in which it was claimed Guinness had 'crossed swords' with Sargent; Guinness explains he has been misrepresented; requests Sargent act as musical advisor for a forthcoming film

63: ff. 169-170: David Gabe: 16 year-old music student: 8 January-3 February 1958: Request for advice on how to become a conductor; Sargent advises him to first achieve a music degree

64: f. 171: [Mrs] Burns: [supplier of gramophone records]: 4 December 1957: Request for gramophone records to be supplied

65: ff. 172-173: [Mr] C.A. Gregory: 29 January 1958: Request for Sargent to see the score of a symphony composed by his 17 year old son

66: ff. 174-180: A.R. Heaver: The Avalon Group: 20-27 May 1958: Correspondence with 'A.R.H.' of The Avalon Group concerning the enclosed pamphlet 'Thermo-Nuclear Stalemate! Impasse and the Way Out' on the role of religion and politics in averting nuclear war

67: ff. 181-184: Frank Howes: Music Critic, The Times: 23 March-11 April 1958: Correspondence with Howes concerning his extensive criticisms of Sargent's performance of the St Matthew Passion

68: ff. 185-189: David Hopkin Evans: [Son of Dr. Hopkin Evans, late conductor of the Liverpool Welsh Choral Union]: 22-28 February 1958: Request for an audition for his cousin Miss Valerie Davies; Sargent recommends she audition for the BBC

69: ff. 190: Herbert Norman Howells: Composer, teacher: 31 December 1957: Writes to enclose a script of a speech by Howells at the request of Sargent; the copy of the speech was returned

70: f. 191: Herbert Norman Howells: Composer, teacher, Ursula Howells: Actress [daughter of Herbert Howells]: 22 January 1957: Sargent expresses concern that Howells has been unwell; encloses a composition he has received to 'cheer him up'; on the reverse is copy of letter to Ursula Howells wishing her well on her recovery from tuberculosis

71: ff. 192-196: Christopher Hales: Music teacher; formerly conducting student of Sargent: 3-11 January 1958: Letters to accompany scores of works

72: ff. 197-199: [forenames unclear] Haughton: Amateur composer: 30 July 1956-6 December 1957: Letters requesting Sargent's opinions on compositions

73: f. 200: Francis Huntingford: Lord Archbishop-Abbot of the Order of the Cloister of the Holy Presence; formerly a singer: 4 December 1957: Request for Sargent to autograph a photograph

74: f. 201: [Unclear]: Huddersfield Choral Society: 2 February 1957: Relates to the commissioning of a work to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Society in 1961