William HURLSTONE (1876-1906)

Autograph Letter Signed (“William Hurlstone”) to “Dear Miss Attenborough” [the poet and lyricist Florence Attenborough] discussing a work in progress.

2 pages 8vo on conjoined leaves, 23 Park Mansions, Battersea Park, 11 February 1906.

“Very many thanks for congratulations. I was surprised at the result of the Competition!
I really ought to send you “Alfred”. The fact is I have for some time intended writing a sort of Symphonic Poem (orchestral) on the subject, and there are one or two themes and passages in the choral version which I may possibly make use of – that is, if I ever do it at all! Anyway, should you at any time see a possible chance of its being produced, I will of course send on the score to you at once.”

“Alfred” refers to Hurlstone’s 1901 two-act opera Alfred the Great. Hurlstone died of asthma less than three months after this letter at the age of only 30, but his Alfred the Great: A Ballad for Chorus and Orchestra, with words by Florence Attenborough, was published posthumously in 1910.

Florence Attenborough’s congratulations would have been for his award of first prize in the 1905 Cobbett Musical Competition for his Phantasy Quartet.

The letter has very slight foxing at the bottom of both pages and has visible fold marks, but remains in very clear condition.

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