Bengt Hambraeus (1928–2000) was a Swedish composer, organist, musicologist, and teacher. He was best known for his compositions for organ, but he also composed several operas as well as a number of orchestral, choral, and chamber works. He taught at McGill University from 1972 to 1995. Although he wrote the Concerto for Organ and Harpsichord in 1947 (revised in 1951), I found no evidence that he completed the harpsichord concerto mentioned in RK's letter to him.

March 16, 1961

Dear Mr. Hambraeus:

Your letter finally reached me on my return from a long tour and I hasten to answer. Forgive my writing in English, but dictation goes faster.

I am delighted that you are at work on a harpsichord concerto. The instrumentation sounds exceedingly interesting, and I am quite pleased by the absence of strings. This kind of instrumentation, of course, means that eventual performances in this country can only be done with large orchestras, and I hope that the solistic element in the harpsichord part is sufficient to warrant the attention of orchestras and conductors to this as a piece for a visiting soloist. I shall be eager to hear further news of the piece.

I trust that all is going well with you and your wife, and I look forward to seeing you again next March. Through the spring and summer I expect to stay at home so that if your piece is finished, I would very much like to see it since until October I shall have plenty of time for work.

All best greetings,

Sincerely,

Ralph Kirkpatrick