| Description | Themes featured in the correspondence for this period are: discussion of other composers and conductors, exchanging scores for works, and detailed instructions about the performance of Holbrooke's work.
Item 8/2 refers to Bantock's knighthood, and 8/1 is a typewritten chain letter sent from Bantock's home at Metchley Lodge, Birmingham in January 1930, which appears to have been passed on to Holbrooke via Norman Demuth, possibly a fellow composer.
Several letters and postcards are sent from Monte Carlo or Beau Soleil in the South of France, where Holbrooke seems to have spent extended holidays. These include: 8/7, 8/18, 8/29, 8/32, 8/33, 8/34, and 8/35.
Item 8/10, enclosed with /8/9, is a printed leaflet dated 1933, which outlines the apparently poor deal that composers got from the Performing Rights Society when their works were performed. The leaflet is headed 'Modern Music Library'. Internal evidence suggests that the business was based at 60 Boundary Road, North London between 1929 and 1933 but it is possible that it had been established even before 1929.
Item 8/13, dated 15 January 1934, is the first letter in the collection to be typed. Items 8/13-15 discuss the orchestration of Holbrooke's work, possibly for a forthcoming performance, perhaps to be broadcast on the radio but 8/19 and 8/20 express doubts about this. Holbrooke complains about the BBC having a possible agreement with the Performing Rights Society over the performance of his works, and tells Bantock that he does not want them to be played if he gets no money from it. These difficulties confirm Holbrooke's usual concern that many of those with influence in the music world do not want to promote his work. Letters numbered 8/28 and 8/34 hint that Bantock has influence with the BBC and might be able to do something to help.
Item 8/22 is a newspaper cutting from the 'Morning Post' for 20 February 1934, enclosed with 8/2. The cutting reports on a concert given by the London Symphony Orchestra which included a performance of 'The Raven' by Holbrooke, which was first performed in 1899. It has been annotated in the margin by Holbrooke.
Item 8/30 is a letter from Holbrooke's daughter Barbara to Bantock. She acknowledges safe receipt of the 'Viking' score, and asks Bantock if she might come to a rehearsal, as she has never heard it played. Item 8/39, enclosed with 8/38, appears to be part of a fairy story, not in Holbrooke's hand. Item 8/48 mentions the 'Holbrooke Society'. |