File Man-Mus/16 - Letters to Maurice Whittaker

Two letters to Maurice Whittaker, both from "Henry". It has not yet proved possible to identify the writer. Sep 15 1948 He thanks Maurice for his letter. He gave Freud & Co. up years ago; is now reading the bible which contains nonsense equal to any modern or sexual philosophy of Hegel, Kant and "all the rest of the lang-headed teutons". He is not, however, an atheist. Henry is glad that JB[arbirolli] is making a success "over there" (ie in South Africa, to where the letter is addressed) and discusses the tempi used for Figaro. It is scandalous how the clique keep JB out of London: Henry rates him very highly. Henry has never tried to write another lighter ballad because the woman who inspired "for you alone" died. He finishes with joking poems about Maurice and the "fagott", and about the black market. Jun 14 1949 He has writers cramp, which forces him to use the typewriter instead of hand-writing the letter; he is still able to raise a pint glass. He has been undertaking a great deal of arranging work for the BBC for a variety of combinations and instruments. He will send some suggestions on the pieces Maurice sent him. Recently he went to hear the Philadelphia Orchestra - they are very good and deserve a better conductor than [Eugene] Ormandy. He is glad Barbirolli has been knighted, and admires Maurice for having left the UK. He wishes he could do the same as the future is not good for "blokes like myself" - there are a lot of musicians in cliques and fashion is turning towards atonal/12-note music. Henry has some suggestions as to how to write "one of these Schonbergian [sic] things" and sets out some rules.