In 1909 Part III of Bantock's Omar Khayyám was premiered at the Birmingham Festival, and the full score of The Pierrot of the Minute overture, the incidental music for Electra and the Old English Suite – an arrangement of seventeenth-century music for small orchestra – were published. Bantock also entertained Sibelius during his second trip to Britain, and the first festival of the Musical League took place in Liverpool on 24 and 25 September. Newman offered a progressive series of illustrated lectures on Richard Strauss, Debussy, Wolf and Sibelius at the Midland Institute and published his edition of Fifty Songs by Hugo Wolf. Wallace's sixth symphonic poem, Villon, was premiered on 10 March at London's Queen's Hall, and his English translation of Delius's A Mass of Life was used for the premiere of that work on 7 June 1909 at the same venue.

235 GRANVILLE BANTOCK TO ERNEST NEWMAN

Dear Ali Ibn.

Miss Rider has been asked to rehearse Strauss Songs etc with Miss Ashton, & Messrs Mullings, Bannister & Quinton at 7. PM tonight in the Large Lecture Theatre. Anderton will be present to supervise the rehearsal, & if you could manage to be present, so much the better. I have to rehearse “Omar” tonight at Manchester, but will be present at the second Strauss rehearsal which we are calling for Monday next at 7. PM in my room.

You might let Anderton know the order of the musical items for the 2 Strauss Lectures. We ought to get out the programmes as soon as possible. Anderton can let you have a copy of the programme of Mdme Siviter & Cooke's Recital on Saturday.

Yours,

Allahillahullahallah!

236 GRANVILLE BANTOCK TO ERNEST NEWMAN

Dear Ali Wali

I have called a rehearsal of the illustrations for your lecture on Wednesday at 7. PM, and if you could be present, we should all be glad to have your approval beforehand. Miss Hyde of Worcester wants some private information as to your birth, previous terms of imprisonment & convictions; these to be printed in the local journals for the public information, & by way of warning.