Jones, Francis Arthur Dvořák, Antonín
Basic information
Letter
Y.M.C.A
Torquay
Sep: 3rd 1892
Dear Sir,
Not having had any reply to my letter to you dated July 5th, I fear it has miscarried and am therefore writing to you again.
In my letter to you I wrote asking if you would very kindly give me your help in the following matter -
I have been commissioned by the Editor of the “Strand” Magazine to write an article on “How Composers compose Etc.” The article to be illustrated with facsimile reproductions of portions of the MSS. of the various composers.
I have already obtained the help of the following -
Joseph Barnby, Jacques Blumenthal, J.H. Cowen, Agnes Gaul, Ch. Gounod, Edvard Grieg, C.H. Lloyd, Meyer Lutz, Jules Massenet, Hamish MacCunn, A.C. Mackenzie, Fits Mattei, Ebenezer Proud, Ant. Rubinstein, C.V. Stanford, Johann Strauss, Etc.
I therefore write to ask you if you will kindly send me your replies to the following questions -
What method do you adopt when composing?
Do you consider the art of composition one which may be acquired and cultivated?
Which do you consider your finest work?
Do you compose at the piano?
Do you consider the English a musical nation, if not what in your opinion is the reason?
Do you believe in composers writing “to order”
And all the other information in your power together with two or three bars of signed music in your autograph to be produced in the magazine (and which will be returned to you, if you so desire when finished with by the printers.)
The article will I trust be a most interesting one, and is being looked forward to by the musical world with great interest. It will give me great pleasure to forward you the number containing the paper for your approval. The “Strand” is one of the most popular Magazines in England, and the No. for this month will contain an article on “Her Majesty Queen Victoria’s Dolls” which will be corrected by the Queen. Will you kindly address the reply to _.
F.A. Jones
Y.M.C.A.
Torquay
Devon
England
Trusting you will give me your assistance in the matter and that you are in good health.
Believe me
Yours very faithfully
Francis Arthur Jones
