MS Mus. 1784/1/47

1: ff. 1-3: Louis Daly Irving Austin: New Zealand music critic, formerly conductor: 2-6 March 1964: Austin requests Sargent meet a young violinist visiting London from New Zealand; remarks on musical opinions expressed by William Walton and Benjamin Britten with which he disagrees

2: ff. 4-10: Louis Daly Irving Austin: New Zealand music critic, formerly conductor, Phyllis Ripley-Coke: 19 May 1964-2 February 1965: Correspondence concerning Austin's Memoirs sent to Sargent which he reads with interest; Austin refers to Sargent's forthcoming visit to New Zealand

3: ff. 12-13: Norman Moffitt: British Railways Eastern Region: 28 January 1965: Request for Sargent to autograph photographs he 'sportingly agreed' to be taken during a recent train journey

4: ff. 13-15: Thomas Armstrong: Principal, Royal Academy of Music: 4-5 November 1964: Armstrong congratulates Sargent on a performance of Delius's 'A Mass of Life'

5: f. 16: Arthur Gore, 8th Earl of Arran: Associated Newspapers Ltd.: Undated [1964/65]: Concerning an invitation to 'Malcolm's Golden Hour' for which Arran regrets he is unavailable

6: ff. 17-18: Hugh Aitken: 1 June 1964: Request for Sargent to audition a young musician named Martino Tirimo

7: ff. 19-21: Gerald Abraham: Assistant Controller of Music, British Broadcasting Corporation: 10-17 August 1964: Letters from Sargent concerning programme notes for Promenade Concerts; Sargent objects to notes on 'Hymn of Jesus' and the 'Enigma Variations'

8: f. 22: Sir John William Max Aitken: [Son of Lord Beaverbrook]: 20 July 1964: Sargent sends condolences on the death of his father Lord Beaverbrook and congratulates Aitken on refusing to sustain the baronetcy bestowed upon his father in succession

9: ff. 23-24: [unidentified]: 24 August 1964: Seeks an engagement at a Promenade Concert for a young violinist

10: f. 25: Lies Askonas: Concert Agent, Member of the European Association of Concert Managers: 28 July 1964: Sends 'warm wishes for a marvellous Prom Season'

11: ff. 26-27: Wilfrid Greenhouse Allt: President, Royal College of Organists: 30 July 1964: Writes to enclose copy [missing] of a programme for the centenary celebrations of the Royal College of Organists; he is critical of the contemporary music being performed

12: ff. 28-30: Daisy Allenby, Viscountess Allenby of Megiddo: [wife of 2nd Viscount Allenby of Megiddo]: 25 May-24 August 1964: Allenby writes concerning Joanna Maitland, former secretary to Sargent, who is paralysed following a car accident; refers to Sargent's other secretaries whom she calls 'huzzies'

13: ff. 31-34: E.A. Worby: Secretary, Help the Aged, Eveline Hilton: [Acquaintance of Sargent from Leicester]: 1 April 1964: Worby forwards a letter from Hilton written in response to Sargent's appeal for 'Help the Aged'; Hilton encloses a £30 donation and recalls a meeting with Sargent in Leicester when he was a young organist attending an audition; Sargent replies to Hilton to say he was 'thrilled' to read the letter

14: ff. 35-36: Donald Gowing: Musicians Benevolent Fund, [Miss] V.M. Briggs: [aspiring pianist]: 26 March 1965: Sargent's secretary forwards an enquiry from V.M. Briggs to the Musician's Benevolent Fund; Briggs is seeking concert appearances

15: f. 37: Peter Bridge: Bridge Production Ltd: 11 February 1965: Requests permission to quote Sargent's endorsement of 'The Nine O'Clock Revue Chaganog'; Sargent agrees

16: ff. 38-39: Carey Blyton: Composer: 18-23 March 1965: Correspondence concerning request for Sargent to perform Blyton's work 'Cinque Port'; Sargent approves of the work but has nowhere to programme it

17: ff. 40-41: E. Brock: [Book 'binder' for Sargent]: 17-21 September 1964: Reports she has been on her back after a fall; Sargent's secretary refers to Joanna Maitland [formerly Sargent's secretary] who recently attended a Promenade Concert in a wheelchair having been paralysed

18: ff. 42-44: Frances A. Featherstone: Housemistress, Sargent House, Binley Park School, Coventry: 20 November 1964-8 January 1965: Concerning donation made by students of Sargent House at Binley Park School, Coventry, in aid of the Sargent Room at the Royal College of Music

19: f. 45: Richard Austen Butler, Baron Butler of Saffron Walden: Formerly Member of Parliament: 1 February 1965: Sargent responds to a letter from Butler thanking him for his service to the Nation and congratulating him on his 'congenial post' [referring either to his peerage or appointment as Master of Trinity College Cambridge]

20: ff. 46-47: Mary-Bess Halford: Student at Elmhurst Ballet School [daughter of Aubrey Halford-Macleod, Consul-General in Munich, and Vanna M. Halford, formerly of Ipswich Choral Society]: 31 January-3 February 1965: Mary writes to Sargent reporting on school life and a recent holiday with family at their home in Munich; Sargent recounts recent activities and suggests a date to meet her in London

21: ff. 48-51: Colonel Ronnie Bradley: 5 April-31 May 1964: Bradley invites Sargent to a lunch at Lord's Cricket Ground and to stay at his house in the United States during his forthcoming tour

22: ff. 52-53: Colonel Ronnie Bradley: 17-21 September 1964: Enquires whether Sargent is touring America again as Bradley and Harriet would like him to stay; Sargent reports he is off to South Africa where he has prevailed upon the authorities to let him do a concert for blacks only rather than whites only, which he 'feels is an advance'

23: ff. 54-56: Ghita Blackstone, Peggy Conyheare: [Acquaintance from Stamford]: 11-15 September 1964: Blackstone encloses a letter received from Conyheare concerning the loss of her son at the age of 14; her son was a music enthusiast and his greatest ambition was to meet Sargent; Sargent thanks Blackstone for her letter

24: ff. 57-62: Heather Begg: Mezzo-soprano: 24-26 May 1964: Correspondence concerning request to perform with Sargent and his Orchestra on the occasion of his forthcoming trip to Begg's home country of New Zealand; a photograph of Begg is enclosed; Sargent agrees to see what can be done

25: f. 63: J. Buxton: [Young music enthusiast]: 26 July 1964 [date of response]: Seeks a spare ticket for a Promenade Concert; Sargent regrets Buxton must save up enough money to buy one

26: ff. 64-70: [Mrs] Paddy Bevan: 12 June-6 July 1964: Correspondence between Paddy Bevan and an assistant secretary of Sargent; Bevan is giving a talk on Sargent and requests some information about Sargent 'behind the public face'

27: ff. 71-72: Pauline Brockless: Soprano: 8 May-2 June 1964: Request for an audition with Sargent; she has recovered from a period of illness

28: ff. 73-74: George Baker: Baritone singer, adjudicator, lecturer, journalist: 26-27 May 1964: Concerning the refusal of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra to relinquish the title 'Royal' despite no new grant of the title having been issued

29: ff. 75-78: Herbert Menges: Conductor, Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra, Rosemary Harris: Secretary, Brighton Philharmonic Society Ltd.: 5 February-22 April 1964: Request for Sargent to conduct the Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra in the 1964/65 Season

30: ff. 79-80: Richard Macnutt: Antiquarian music dealer and bibliographer: 29 June 1963: Encloses an extract from an article on Berlioz's Te Deum written for the Berlioz Society's quarterly Bulletin

31: f. 81: [?] Bailey: [Viennese, living in Milan]: 28 July 1964: Congratulates Sargent on a performance

32: ff. 82-84: Mary T.E. Butler: Care home worker: 11 August 1961: Request for advice concerning a 92 year old pianist in the care home where she works; Sargent suggests she ask a doctor

33: f. 85: Evelyn Berckman: Composer, novelist: 9 March 1964: Request for Sargent to see the score of his composition 'Scotland at the Sorbonne'

34: ff. 86-87: R.W. Gibson: J.W. Chesters Ltd.: January-1 February 1965: Announces his retirement from J.W. Chesters Ltd.; Sargent offers his best wishes

35: ff. 88-92: Leonard M. Pendlebury: Publicity Officer, Chatsworth Christian Choir: 22 August 1964: Encloses programme for the Chatsworth Christian Choir performance of 'The Creation' and offers best wishes on Sargent's forthcoming tour in South Africa

36: ff. 93-94: Cunard Line Limited: 26 August 1964: Encloses cheque as refund for a baggage charge

37: f. 95: Cameron Fromanteel 'Kim' Cobbold, 1st Baron Cobbold: Lord Chamberlain: 23 July 1964: Sargent writes to express dissatisfaction that theatre producer Peter Daubeny was not invited to a Theatrical Garden Party at Buckingham Palace

38: f. 96: Peter Lauderdale Daubeny: Theatre producer: 4 August 1964: Sargent writes to Daubeny enclosing a letter from Lord Cobbold explaining why Daubeny was not invited to a Buckingham Palace Garden party; the reason was that Daubeny was not closely identified with Shakespeare

39: ff. 97-98: Gillian Camplin: School student: 20-21 August 1964: Seeks information about Sargent's recreational activities for a school project

40: f. 99: Constantino Varela Cid: Concert agent: 26 August 1964: Writes to enclose 3 contracts for a concerto performance for a radio broadcast

41: ff. 100-101: Annabelle Chisolm: 26-28 August 1964: Thanks Sargent for 'a lovely evening last week'; refers to a question of French translation previously discussed

42: f. 102: Randolph Frederick Edward Spencer-Churchill: Formerly Member of Parliament: 11 August 1964: Sargent congratulates Randolph Churchill on an article condemning what Sargent describes as the 'appalling racket of the mods and rockers'

43: ff. 103-104: Arthur Chown: 8 June 1964: Encloses a score for Sargent to consider for performance; Sargent is unable to place it for performance

44: f. 105: F.S. Matta: F.S. Matta Ltd. Wine Shippers and Agents: 4 May 1964: Letter to accompany a complimentary bottle of Campari

45: f. 106: Maria Callas: Soprano: 21 October 1963: Letter from Callas declining an invitation [unspecified]; requests that her regrets be conveyed to the Queen

46: f. 107: Eugene John Cruft: Double bass player: 24 March 1964: Sargent informs Cruft that the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra will be recording D'Oyly Carte with Decca

47: ff. 108-110: Colonel A.M. Field: United Society for Christian Literature: 9 March 1964: Request to conduct a concert at the Royal Albert Hall in aid of the United Society for Christian Literature; Sargent is unavailable

48: ff. 111-112: Jos de Groen: Bassoonist in South Africa: 26 January 1965: Seeks assistance to advance the music career of his son who is a bassoonist

49: ff. 113-114: Jacqueline du Pré: Cellist: 9-14 December 1964: Concerning arrangements to meet to discuss a forthcoming performance of the Delius Cello Concerto

50: ff. 115-116: David Simmons: Chairman, Delius Society, William Frederick Glock: Controller of Music, British Broadcasting Corporation: 18 June 1964: Simmons encloses copy of letter to Glock requesting a greater representation of Delius at the Promenade Concerts

51: ff. 117-118: M.A. Damboa: Bandsman, Police Band, Southern Police College, Ikeja, Republic of Nigeria: 15-29 July 1964: Describes his musical activities and enjoyment of music and requests correspondence with Sargent; Sargent regrets he is too busy to write regularly

52: ff. 119-120: William Davenport: 6 May 1964: Sends some plastic sandals on behalf of Nesta Obermer for use in Hawaii

53: ff. 121-125: Thomas R. Levy: The Dessoff Choirs: 11-14 April 1964: Invitation for Sargent to conduct the Dessoff Choirs in New York; Sargent is unavailable

54: f. 126: [unclear]: French Embassy, London: [?]: Congratulates Sargent on a performance. French

55: ff. 127-132: Mary Daubeny: Wife of theatre producer Peter Lauderdale Daubeny: 13 April 1964: Writes to enclose curriculum vitae for Peter Daubeny; Sargent thinks 'something should be done about Peter' and is asking others to help

56: ff. 133-134: Clifford O. Rhodes: The Educational Group of the Musical Instrument Association, The Association of Musical Instrument Industries: 5 February 1965: Request for Sargent to approve a statement for a leaflet encouraging music making for children

57: ff. 135-139: Lotte S. Medak: Singer and artist's agent: 19 March 1965: Seeks Sargent's assistance for young Hungarian conductor Péter Erős when he visits London; encloses promotional brochure for Erős

58: f. 140: Sally Evans: 30 December 1964: Writes to say how much she enjoyed the Carol Concert at the Royal Albert Hall; apologises for singing mistakenly during a choir-only verse

59: ff. 141-143: Mabel Elder: 21-22 September 1964: Writes to offer Sargent some miniature scores which she has no room to keep; Sargent accepts in order to give them to a student

60: f. 144: David George Brownlow Cecil, 6th Marquess of Exeter: 29 July 1964: Sargent refers to a luncheon with Lady Peek; states he is against collecting money to create a specialist music school in Stamford but he is happy for part of a university and a hall in Stamford to be named after him

61: ff. 145-147: John Edwards: Mechanical engineer: 29 July 1964: Thanks Sargent for his performances at the Promenade Concerts, listening to which is helping him recover in hospital from burns injuries

62: ff. 148-149: Carl Zytowski: Acting Chairman, University of California, Santa Barbara: 12 February-26 March 1965: Request for a testimonial for Peter Racine Fricker, whom he wishes to recommend to the Regents of the University for permanent employment

63: ff. 150-153: Lydia Fournier: [Wife of cellist Pierre Fournier]: 23-29 March 1965: Fournier writes concerning the success of her son who is a pianist; Sargent writes to William Glock to recommend him for a performance at the Proms

64: f. 154: Donald Keith Falkner: Director, Royal College of Music: October 1964: Announces that academic dress has been instituted for all Fellows of the Royal College of Music

65: ff. 155-157: Colonel A.M. Field: United Society for Christian Literature: 25 March 1964: Seeks advice on artists and programming for a concert in aid of the United Society for Christian Literature

66: ff. 158-159: Hilary Philip Chadwyck-Healey: 14 April 1964: Following a meeting with Sargent, Chadwyck-Healey encloses his tune for 'A Cradle Hymn'; in reply Sargent notes it is not a carol

67: ff. 160-165: Patricia Trott: [friend in Brisbane]: 23 May-8 June 1964: Letters reporting on musical life in Brisbane; includes press cuttings from a performance by John Ogden

68: ff. 166-167: Martin Fogell: Conductor: 5-7 August 1964: Concerning potential eligibility for the Watney/Sargent award

69: ff. 168-169: Kathleen Freeman: 9 June 1964: Concerning a piano she would like to bequeath to a gifted musician

70: ff. 170-171: Eric Fenby: Formerly amanuensis to Frederick Delius: 19-25 May 1964: Correspondence concerning alterations to the score of Delius's Cello Concerto by Herbert Withers in relation to a forthcoming recording with Sargent and Jacqueline du Pré

71: ff. 172-173: Rev. Andrew T.H. Jones: Vicar of Hartland, J.L. Fulford: Builder: 28-29 May 1964: Concerning repair of the memorial to Pamela Sargent at Hartland

72: f. 174: Faber and Faber Ltd: Press release announcing that new works by Benjamin Britten are to be published by Faber and Faber Ltd

73: f. 175: Isham Peter Garran: Ambassador to the Netherlands: 8 March 1965: Sargent confirms he has passed on Garran's letter to the Netherlands

74: f. 176: Dr L. Guttman: Medical Doctor, Stoke Mandeville Hospital: 16 December 1964: Sargent informs Guttman that the Royal Choral Society will be making their annual collection for the Spinal Unit of Stoke Mandeville Hospital [where Sargent's secretary Joanna Maitland was treated]

75: f. 177: James Gault: 11 November 1964: Thanks Sargent for his offer to attend Promenade Concerts, which has only just arrived in the post

76: f. 178: Charles Groves: Musical Director, Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra: 13 September 1964: Congratulates Sargent on his performance of 'The Hymn of Jesus'

77: f. 179: Peter Gellhorn: Choir Master, British Broadcasting Corporation, Frederic Jackson: Chorus Master, London Philharmonic Choir: 21 August 1964: Sargent writes to Gellhorn to express gratitude to him and the Choir for their work at the Promenade Concerts

78: ff. 180-181: Peter Gellhorn: Choir Master, British Broadcasting Corporation: 1-2 September 1964: Apologises for errors made in rehearsal preparation for the Promenade Concerts

79: f. 182: Freda Grove: Undated [1964/65]: Thanks Sargent for his gift of flowers which she found in her room at St. Vincent's Clinic

80: ff. 183-184: Ruth Gilpin: [unclear]: 9 October 1964: Encloses a poem entitled 'The Conductor' which she has sent to the BBC to be read after broadcasts of Promenade Concerts

81: f. 185: Goodwin and Tabb Ltd.: 2 June 1964: Concerning the return of four copies of the Oxford Book of Carols supplied to Sargent's secretary Joanna Maitland in December 1963

82: f. 186: Victor Godfrey: 28 May 1964: Announces he has finished learning the part for 'The Dream of Gerontius' and requests an audition

83: f. 187: Cdr. Harold Greenfell: 27 April 1964: Sargent writes to provide details of his plans to visit Greenfell in South Africa; reports it was a great joy to be with David and Miriam

84: f. 188: [unclear]: 25 February 1964: Request for Sargent to speak on his behalf in a court case; Sargent says he will do what he can depending on rehearsal times

85: ff. 189-190: Elizabeth Hilton Smith: Friend in Houston, Texas: 14 January 1965: Reports she will not be in England before April; refers to the occasion of the visit of the Duke and Duchess of York when the Duke was treated in Hospital in Houston; Sargent informs her he will be in New York in June

86: f. 191: Irene Handl: Actress: 18 December 1964: Thanks Sargent for visiting her after a show [no context]

87: f. 192: G.W.D. McLaren: Spectacle Manager, Hamblin [opticians]: 31 December 1964: Concerning cancellation of an order for spectacles

88: ff. 193-194: Tony Holmes à Court: [Friend in Johannesburg]: 10 December 1964: Informs Sargent he will be providing a delivery of peaches or grapes; Sargent thanks him for his hospitality in Johannesburg