Deel 3 - Correspondence from Brian Elias

Three handwritten compliments slips, four handwritten letters, five handwritten postcards, four typed letters, five envelopes, 47 pages of photocopies and two cassette tapes

The majority of correspondence is from Brian Elias to Kenneth MacMillan with additional letters to Deborah MacMillan and personnel at the Royal Opera House, London. There is also some photocopied reference material that Brian Elias has forwarded to Kenneth MacMillan, and cassette tapes of two recordings of the score. The material comprises

1. Three photocopied pages about the Judas Tree plant, from The Independent on Sunday 13 May 1990, Plant Portrait: 16 Judas Tree by Mary Keen, from Planting a Bible Garden by F. Nigel Webber, published HMSO, London 1987, and Trees and Shrubs Throughout the Year by Blanche Henrey and W.J.Bean, published by Lindsay Drummond, London 1944
2. Two photocopies of one sheet of lined paper with a handwritten list by Brian Elias of the apostles with brief notes about their music, with timings. One page has additional notes
3. Photocopy of a two page list of the Apostles with details of their other names, feast day, symbol in art and manner of death, the original handwritten by Brian Elias.
4. Handwritten letter from Brian Elias to Kenneth MacMillan, thanking him for tickets for Anastasia and looking forward to hearing from him 'whenever you wish to start'. With envelope. 27 Jun 1989
5. Handwritten postcard from Brian Elias to Kenneth MacMillan, thanking him for tickets for La Bayadere which he 'learned a tremendous amount from watching....What dire music though'. Elias intends to start writing by the middle of this month. The card is dated 2nd October, probably 1989
6. Handwritten compliments slip from Brian Elias to Kenneth MacMillan sending 16 photocopies of 32 pages from an uncredited publication, with chapters on The Myth of the Redemption and The New World. The first page is inscribed Kenneth in Elias's handwriting. 10 May 1990
7. Handwritten compliments slip from Brian Elias to Kenneth MacMillan sending 15 photocopies of 30 pages from two uncredited religious dictionaries. The first has the entry for Apostle highlighted in yellow marker pen, the second the names of different apostles underlined in yellow marker pen. 2 Feb 1990
8. Six pages of photocopied entries from an uncredited religious dictionary with entries on the apostles
9. Typed letter from Brian Elias to Anthony Russell-Roberts, Administrative Director of The Royal Ballet discussing the date for the new ballet, choice of conductor, and costs of preparing the tape of the first half of the score. Also gives detail of progress of the score and dates when piano and orchestral scores should be completed. 21 Jul 1990
10. Handwritten letter from Brian Elias to Kenneth MacMillan enclosing the tape made the previous week. The letter includes a brief breakdown of the structure with a more detailed breakdown to follow.
11. Cassette tape labelled Brian Elias New Ballet Score - 19' to end of Variation 9, 2 piano recording made 4 Jul 1990 with Andrew Ball and Susan Bradshaw
12. Cassette tape labelled Brian Elias New Ballet for Kenneth MacMillan Piano Sketch 2 Pianos: Andrew Ball and Susan Bradshaw (rec. 4 Jul 1990 and 4 Oct 1990), ca.38'20"
13. One photocopy of the scenario for The Judas Tree prepared by Brian Elias, on A3 paper. A further copy in RAD/2/MAC/3/1/20/1 is titled 1st draft Oct 1990
14. Handwritten compliments slip from Brian Elias to Kenneth MacMillan, enclosing a 'rough' scenario as promised. A4 version of item 13. 9 Oct 1990
15. Handwritten letter form Brian Elias to Kenneth MacMillan asking him to telephone to clarify a couple of details: is the title definitely The Judas Tree, and agreeing to silence and darkness when the curtain rises and at what point the lights go on. Elias wants to mark the last two timings in the score. 1 Oct 1990
16. Typed letter from Brian Elias to Bram Gay, Orchestra Director at the Royal Opera House, London, writing with details of the orchestra for Kenneth MacMillan's new ballet. 19 Oct 1990
17. Six typed pages of The Judas Tree 'Scenario' - second draft, with timings. 4 Apr 1991
18. Handwritten postcard from Brian Elias to Kenneth MacMillan, enclosing a copy of a book on the Gnostic Gospels (not included). Suggesting they meet soon to listen to the whole of the piano tape together. 7 May 1991
19. Handwritten letter from Brian Elias to Kenneth and Deborah MacMillan thanking them for their note and their response to his dedication of the music to Kenneth and the piece to both of them. Thanking them also for the faith they showed in him and for their support and friendship. 11 Jul 1991
20. Handwritten postcard from Brian Elias to Kenneth MacMillan, still working hard on the rape. With envelope postmarked 4 Feb 1992
21. Handwritten postcard from Brian Elias to Deborah and Kenneth MacMillan, thanking them for a lovely evening and congratulations on finishing The Judas Tree. 1st March, probably 1992
22. Handwritten postcard from Brian Elias to Kenneth MacMillan, thinking of him and hoping that all is going well. 4th Feb, probably 1992
23. Photocopy of two handwritten pages, giving the outline of the work, the music sections with timings, development of the 'plot', and a timeline. Undated but possibly after the premiere, March 1992
24. Typed letter from Brian Elias to Kenneth MacMillan, thanking him for the opportunity of working with him on The Judas Tree which has been one of the most rewarding experiences of his life. The greatest reward has been MacMillan's creative response to the score. With envelope. 31 Mar 1992
25. Copy of a typed letter from Brian Elias to James Rushton, Managing Director, Chester Music, formally stating his wish that his music for The Judas Tree should not be made available to any other choreographer in any form. He is happy for the music to be performed without choreography as a concert piece. Elias also asks if plans are going ahead to publish the score, and if there is any progress re the CD recording. With a covering handwritten note to Deborah MacMillan. 7 Apr 1997

Brian Elias collection in the British Library Music Library

Faxed items have been photocopied onto acid-free archival paper.
A3 copy of the scenario has been added to Box 55, Large Items
Some letters and other items would be interesting to digitise