Sir Henry Joseph WOOD (1869-1944)

Typed Letter Signed (“Henry J. Wood”) to “Dear Mr. Stein” [Erwin Stein, editor at music publishers Boosey & Hawkes], a long and detailed discussion of his work on a transcription of the Brandenburg Concertos suitable for amateur orchestras.
1½ pages 4to, including a half-page autograph postscript, 63 Harley House, NW1, 30 November 1942.         

"Thank you . . . for returning the correspondence regarding “Rule Brittania”.
Regarding the Brandenburg Concertos. I quite agree with Mr. Ralph Hawkes that 4 & 5 should come next in view of the fact that they are more useful for the amateur and school orchestras, as well as the professional organisations. I will make it my business to get on with these and leave Nos 6 & 2 for later consideration.
When discussing the problem of No 6 with Mr Hawkes some months ago, I suggested putting the Viola part on to Clarinets and Bass Clarinet, but after very careful study and considerations, I find this would prove very unsatisfactory, from the point of view of the aulity of “blow” required – no amateur could manage it. Therefore I proposed making quite a ‘free transcription’ as an alternative version – (as in the other numbers) – and which I discussed with you the other day, but the more I think of it the less I like the thought of such a publication in company with the Six Brandenburg Concertos as Mr Hawkes has determined. We should have the press and purists down on us, and I think such a ‘free’ version would possibly bring undue comment back to the other alternatives with prejudice . . .
I have done No 6 for the past 25 years as Bach wrote it, but I have transferred the Viola de Gamba parts to 1st and 2nd ‘cellos, and this of course will be the basic edition, but how I am to make a satisfactory solution of an alternative version, I don’t at present quite see . . .”
In an autograph postscript on the verso, he adds: “If I finish it in time, I shall do my free transcription of the 6th Brandenburg at the 1943 Promenade Concerts. I shall announce as a transcription for full orchestra, & see what happens.
P.P.S. I want some new works for next seasons “Proms” first performances in Great Britain.”
Sir Henry Wood was a great admirer of Bach and had planned to record all of his Concertos, but recordings of only numbers 3 and 6 were made. 
His correspondent, Erwin Stein, was a musician and former pupil of Arnold Schoenberg. Having made arrangements of works by Mahler and Bruckner for smaller orchestras, he was an ideal correspondent for Sir Henry in this matter.
Stein had worked for a music publisher in his native Vienna, but left in 1938 following the Anschluss. He moved to London where he found work for the major London music publishers Boosey & Hawkes. The new regime in Austria not only brought Boosey & Hawkes the valuable services of Erwin Stein but also allowed them to sign up some of the most important composers on the continent, including Richard Strauss, Stravinsky and Bela Bartok.Mrs. Eggett
The letter has two unobtrusive staple holes at the top left corner, and the typing appears slightly faint in places (possibly because of a typewriter ribbon in need of replacement), but it is otherwise in good condition.

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