Frederick Delius and Peter Warlock: A Friendship Revealed

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Estimated despatch time 2 - 4 weeks

Introduction
1. 1911
2. 1912
3. 1913
4. 1914
5. 1915
6. 1916
7. 1917
8. 1918
9. 1919
10. 1920
11. 1921
12. 1922
13. 1923
14. 1924
15. 1925
16. 1926
17. 1927
18. 1928
19. 1929
20. 1930
Appendix: Heseltine arrangements and translations of works by Delius
Appendix 2: Delius Festival: October - November 1929
Select Bibliography
Index

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About

The Eton schoolboy, Philip Heseltine (Peter Warlock), was not yet 17 when he first met his musical hero Frederick Delius at a concert of his works given by Sir Thomas Beecham at Queen's Hall in 1911. The next day he wrote an ecstatic letter to Delius enthusing over `such perfect performances of such perfect music'. Flattered and intrigued by the young admirer, Delius replied in warm and encouraging terms. And so began a correspondence that was to last until Heseltine's untimely death in 1930. It is fortunate that each composer kept the others' letters and, now placed in chronological order, they give a fascinating picture, not only of the two men and their music, but also of musical life in England and Europe. In their often frank writing the characters and interaction of the two men is highlighted and in their informal and often gossipy way they illuminate the musical life and many personalities of the time. Barry Smith, the author of a recent highly regarded biography of Peter Warlock, has fully researched the background of the correspondence and by means of generous annotations and linking narrative has produced a compelling story of an unusual and unique friendship between two composers.

Reviews

Smith's editing is exemplary. There is just enough introductory matter to set the scene year by year, and Smith disarms criticism and keeps at bay any dull search for misprints by attributing all such to the correspondent's failure to spell properly ... There is much to entertain in the letters, as well as food for thought

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