File DBE-239678/5/2/2 - Symphony No. 2 The violet flame - Comte de Saint Germain

Original and photocopied typescripts, programmes and newspaper clippings, and two original letters. Includes various drafts of the programme notes for ‘Symphony No. 2 in D ( The violet flame-Comte de St. Germain ) for harp obligato and large orchestra, with piano, organ and wordless choir, Derek F. Bell’. Bell concludes the discussion about the symphony in his notes as follows ‘I hope it can be easily and quickly understood by the average concert goer for it is a reactionary work and it is not an esoteric piece for the avant-garde music-specialist, but for everyone.’ [1990]; copy of programme for the première of the symphony, performed by ‘The Colchester Chamber Orchestra, (in association with Eastern Arts), Promenade concert, sponsored by Colchester and East Essex Co-operative Society at St Botolph’s Church, Colchester [Essex, England]. Leader: Beth Spendlove, Soloist: Derek Bell, Conductor: Christopher Phelps’ (7 May 1990); programmes of other performances of The violet flame by the Northern Ireland Symphony (10 Aug 1991) and (10 Nov 1991); reviews of the composition and its performance in various newspapers including the Glasgow herald (15 Aug 1991), the Sunday press (10 Nov 1991), the Gaelic daily , Los Angeles, [California, United States of America] (27 Nov 1991).