Sir Malcolm Sargent (1895-1967)

TRANSCRIPTION

FROM SIR MALCOLM SARGENT, 9, ALBERT HALL MANSIONS, LONDON, S.W. 7

17th February, 1954

Dear Mrs. Barton,

    I would definitely not bother
to give singing lessons to your
fourteen-year-old daughter while she
is still at school.

    The vocal chords change at this
age in a girl as in a boy, but not so
noticeably, and it is a bad period
for vocal training. Ordinary school
singing or a choral society, etc.
would not hurt her in the least, and
she could help her musical interest
by having piano lessons and really
knowing the musical notation, but I
would not advise actual singing lessons
for another two years.

    With best wishes,

        Yours sincerely,
        Malcolm Sargent

ABOUT THE CONDUCTOR

Eminent conductor Harold Malcolm Watts Sargent (1895-1967) was born in Stamford, Lincolnshire, England. He studied organ at the Royal College of Organists in London. He served in the infantry during World War I. His first important conducting appearance was in 1921 when he conducted his own composition, Allegro Impetuoso: An Impression on a Windy Day. From 1921 to 1945, Sargent conducted several city orchestras and made tours of Australia and Palestine. He came to America in 1948 and conducted the NBC Orchestra. He was knighted in 1947.  From 1950-1957 he was chief conductor of the BBC Orchestra. From 1948-1966, he also conducted the Proms concerts. He led other orchestras, including the Royal Philharmonic, on tours to Russia and the Far East.

Sir Malcolm Sargent always wore a red carnation in his buttonhole and was equally comfortable with classical or modern music. His last public appearance was at the last night of the 1967 season of Promenade Concerts. He died a few weeks later on October 3, 1967.

A visitor to our site comments:

 "In the 1950s and 1060s, the BBC maintained several orchestras of different types (BBC Northern Dance Orchestra, BBC Midland Light Orchestra, etc.). Sir Malcolm was principal conductor of the "BBC Symphony Orchestra." I very much enjoyed listening to --and watch-- his performances. He had a very flamboyant style and was affectionately known as "Flash Harry."
                                -- C.W., United Kingdom, May 14, 2003

REV. 01/26/2004

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