ARNOLD BAR
SIR,—I think many readers of the Spectator will be interested to learn of the formation of an Arnold Bax Society. A group of music lovers who wish to honour the memory of the late Sir Arnold Bax have formed the society for the express purpose of sponsoring record- ings of his major works. We think it is deplor- able that one of our finest composers should be almost unrepresented in the catalogues of the record companies, and we wish to remedy what Dr. Edmund Rubbra has described as 'this scandalous hiatus in English recorded music.' Our intention is to ask for a thousand promises to buy a long-playing record devoted to a major work of Bax, perhaps the Fifth Sym- phony. The final choice of the first work to be recorded will depend on the extent of public support, the requests expressed by our mem- bers, and the views of the record company con- cerned. Anyone who sends me a promise to buy a Bax record will be entered as a member of the society. There is nothing to pay except the cost of the record when it is issued. If we get sufficient support we shall be able to make arrangements for the record to be issued in the normal way and at the usual price. If we do not get sufficient support our members will have lost nothing but the time taken in writing to me.
Some persons may be able to help by promising to buy several copies of the first record, and we hope to arrange that any copies not personally required by the purchaser will be presented in his name to educational bodies in various parts of the world.
Many distinguished persons have given their support, and the vice-presidents of the society include Sir Arthur Bliss (Master of the Queen's Music), John Christie, Edric Cundell, Charles Groves, Sir Compton Mackenzie, Dr. Edmund Rubbra, Rudolf Schwarz and Dr. R. Vaughan Williams. The success of the scheme now depends on the response of the public, and we will be most grateful if you can bring it to the notice of your readers.—Yours faithfully,
CLIFFORD W. OILLAM
Old Orchard, Austenwood Common, Gerrards. Cross, Buckinghamshire
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