It is a common myth
that the Internet holds all the information
we will ever need. What is often forgotten
is that Internet information had to
come from research and often previously
published material. Consequently, we
owe it to those researchers amongst
us who surprise us with their searching,
uncovering and revelation.
David Mackie has been
delving amongst the darkly held archives
of the Royal Society of Musicians for
over five years and in this book comes
up with some interesting findings. This
benevolent society was formed by musicians
who have enjoyed profitable careers
to provide aid to those in musical life
who had fallen on hard times.
Nothing is detailed
in the numerous biographies on Arthur
Sullivan as to his connection with the
Society. He rarely spoke about it and
none of his letters to the Society have
surfaced until now. We here have a new
window through which to gaze at this
important figure. As the first Principal
of the National Training School for
Music (now the RCM), he would have had
firsthand knowledge of the hardships
experienced by students. Likewise, as
a person from humble beginnings, he
would have remembered how he had personally
benefited from the benevolence handed
to him in his early days when he won
the Mendelssohn scholarship and went
to Leipzig. All is recorded in the Society
archives. It consequently comes as no
surprise to find that he often headed
their subscription lists for handouts
provided by the Society. Previously
we only knew of his visit to relatives
in America to help them out of a poverty
trap.
Mr Mackie’s monograph
brings to light speeches given by musicians
and composers who spoke at one of the
Society’s Annual Dinners. At first glance
this may not seem a particularly interesting
subject, but I am sure that if one were
to suggest that such an occasion was
recorded, it would bring much curiosity
from those wishing to glean insight
into the speakers’ personalities and
those interested in what they had to
say within this closed organisation.
Second best to a non-existent recording
is to be able to read their scripts,
rather than just reports of their addresses.
It allows us some insight into the speaker’s
feelings about more everyday matters
and thus provides a valuable new dimension.
Sir Arthur’s address,
as President, is long and reveals his
opinions and inner emotions relating
to those less fortunate than himself.
I was impressed by his powers of communication,
use of English and the way he expressed
himself. He respectfully drew attention
to other composers and musicians present:
Macfarren and Grove. They in turn rise
to respond to his compliments. Here
again we gain insight into their personalities
and the respect they equally hold for
their President. Some of their addresses
are scripted whilst others are reported
in full. W.S. Gilbert was also present
and he also spoke. Luckily, he wrote
up his speech notes after the event
and sent them to the Society for filing.
The book also provides
facsimile representation of a number
of letters (with translations) relating
to Sir Arthur. They concern events relating
to the Society and show how its members
went about their business. New to surface
is correspondence asking Sullivan as
a soprano chorister to sing a glee at
a Society function. A request for the
music to be placed early in the programme
is made so that Sullivan can be home
by 9.00 pm. An interesting adjunct is
the inclusion of an appeal for composer
Michael Balfe’s son (also M W Balfe)
who, after his father’s death, had fallen
on hard times. The Society itself also
provided aid to help Balfe junior who
had set himself up as a gas engineer.
Raymond Walker
Published by the Royal Society of Musicians of
Great Britain 
