Autograph Collection.- Organists

Autograph Collection.- Organists

A selection of letters and cards sent to Mr Richardson by various prominent organists, comprising: Lionel Dakers (three thank-you handwritten notes and one typed letter reading "I greatly appreciated your writing about my inclusion as a CBE in the New Year's Honour List. I was naturally delighted that church music and in particular the RSCM has been recognised in this way. Although I happen to be in the driver's seat, I like to think that what I may have been able to achieve during my ten years at the RSCM has in no small measure been due to the untiring efforts and support of my colleagues", January 1983); Douglas Guest (three handwritten thank-you cards and one letter, reading in part "We have thoroughly enjoyed the wedding and so did the Queen and the Royal Family. It was nice to have a day off from the constant economic gloom and depression!”, 6 December 1979); George Guest (one note thanking Mr Richardson for “writing about the Lambeth degree”, 27 January 1977, and a letter thanking Richardson for writing about the Royal College of Organists and adding “Fortunately I believe the duties are not too onerous, though clearly the job is what you make it!”, 21 October 1978); David Lumsden (typed letter thanking Mr Richardson for writing about Lumsden’s appointment to the RAM and saying “Naturally I am very excited at the prospect of working at the RAM. I am nevertheless very sad indeed to leave RSAMD”, September 1981); Martin Neary (autograph letter saying “It has been an enormous privilege to have been closely involved in two remarkable services in the past year, and extremely moving that the musical elements should have been so much appreciated. All this could not have happened without the outstanding contributions of the entire Abbey staff, the Choir and my fellow organists”, 6 January 1998); James O’Donnell (typed letter regarding his appointment to Westminster Abbey “The criticism of the appointment has been entirely to do with the fact that I am a Roman catholic, but as I am keen to point out, the Abbey has employed me as a musician and not as a Catholic”, 4 June 1999); John Scott (brief handwritten thank-you note, 5 January 2024); v.s. (14)