Given the difficulties of having Christus performed owing to its length, in 1907 Bantock published a shorter episode from it in vocal score, ‘Christ in the Wilderness’, and Part II of Omar Khayyám was premiered at the Cardiff Festival on 25 November. With Delius, he began plans for a Musical League. Wallace published his English translation of a song by Rudolf Baumbach, ‘Das begrabene Lied’. Newman gave the Peyton lecture for Elgar at the University of Birmingham, ‘New Forms in Music’, and published his book Hugo Wolf.

212 GRANVILLE BANTOCK TO ERNEST NEWMAN

Dear old Will

Your leader is splendid. Grateful thanks. It will do our scheme all the good in the world. Can you possibly join us at 5. PM in Fiedler's room at the University today to discuss further operations. Ronald & Mossel are coming over here from 3–4 PM to-day to smoke a cigar.4 I know your views about meeting people you are called upon to criticise, so I will not press you, but Ronald is very anxious to meet you, & as you are partly responsible for my conversion, it would afford me much pleasure, if you could spare time to join us in a smoke at 3. PM. We could return to B'ham in company, & Mossel, you & I can go straight to see Fiedler & Russell for the 5. PM appointment.

I am sending copies of your leader to Elgar & Wood. I have had a delightful letter from Wood. He asks to be put down as a guarantor for £30, but I hope we may be able to do without it. We ought to make it local & self-supporting.

Ever yours

Haroun al Rashid.

Bismillah.

213 GRANVILLE BANTOCK TO ERNEST NEWMAN

Dear Abu Bakr!

Just received enclosed wire from Dr. Russell. You had better attend meeting also. Have asked Russell to appoint time & let me know by p-c. first thing in morning. He will summon Fiedler & Wallis. I will wire you if he fixes morning. In any case could you run over here after breakfast (9. AM). I forgot the subject of the Lectures on Sunday. We must settle on this before the next School Committee, & can talk it over tomorrow if you can come.