1919

Summary

Bantock published Hamabdil: Hebrew Melody for cello with harp or piano accompaniment, the Lalla Rookh: Tales and Dances and the Three Scottish Scenes for solo piano. He completed the Hebridean Symphony, his Viola Sonata and the Arabian Nights for piano and reworked the music from his The Pierrot of the Minute overture into ballet form, which he conducted on 5 December. Dante and Beatrice was performed by Appleby Matthews at Birmingham Town Hall on 27 April, and the premiere of ‘Pan in Arcady’ was given in Glasgow on 9 December. There were visits from the socialist poet Edward Carpenter and his partner George Merrill, Holbrooke, and Henry Wood, and Bantock worked as an adjudicator in Edinburgh in October (where he heard a performance of his Raasay Lament). In 1919 Newman married Vera Hands and moved to London to work as critic for the Sunday newspaper The Observer. He also published a selection from his music criticism, A Musical Motley (London: John Lane).

285 GRANVILLE BANTOCK TO ERNEST NEWMAN

30 ELVETHAM ROAD,

EDGBASTON

BIRMINGHAM.

8^th Jan 19

Dear Will

Raymond & Angus are both home on leave. We have got some jolly girls coming on Sunday next for the Tanéiew & Strauss Quartets in the afternoon, & some psychic demonstrations in the evening. Can you join us? I hope you can. Look in whenever it suits you – the earlier the better.

Yours ever

Gran.

286 GRANVILLE BANTOCK TO ERNEST NEWMAN

BIRMINGHAM AND MIDLAND INSTITUTE.

PARADISE STREET,

BIRMINGHAM.

17 Feb 19

Dear Will.

Either young Wenman Gough, or Hubert Brown ought to be quite capable for the duets. Could you let me have the music here before next Friday? You will naturally want a rehearsal beforehand. What afternoon or evening & time will suit you best? Could you manage to rehearse in my room here, or would you prefer the Large Theatre? Let me know your wishes. Is not this weather enough to make a saint of a sinner?

Yours

Gran

287 GRANVILLE BANTOCK TO ERNEST NEWMAN

BIRMINGHAM AND MIDLAND INSTITUTE.

PARADISE STREET,

BIRMINGHAM.

21 Feb. 19

Dear Will,

That looks strange stuff by Casella. Can you rehearse it with Gough in my room here next Monday say at 4. PM. Meanwhile he is practising the upper part of Nos 1 & 3.