(Edwin) Olin Downes (1886–1955) was a music critic for the Boston Post (1906–24) and the New York Times (1924–55). He was also chairman of the Metropolitan Opera Quiz, which was broadcast during intermissions of Saturday afternoon opera matinees. Downes was a friend of Vladimir Horowitz and wrote his program notes for ten years. He was also acquainted with RK and, at Horowitz's request, asked RK whether he would meet with or phone Horowitz to discuss Domenico Scarlatti. I am not sure whether they did meet in person, but I believe there were phone conversations between the two musicians.

December 20, 1953

Dear Ralph:

Vladimir Horowitz, to whom I gave a copy of your Scarlatti book, wants very much to get in touch with you, and as a warm admirer of both parties and—much more important—from the wish to see great artistic work carried on and advanced as strongly as possible, I hope you will do this. His address is 14 East 94th St. and his private telephone, which I feel at liberty to give you, is Sacramento 2-5392. Perhaps you know that for many years Horowitz has been an enthusiastic proponent and student within the information at his power of Scarlatti. I have written his program notes for some ten years, and the very first one began with remarks upon ten Scarlatti sonatas with which he opened his program, and Scarlatti sonatas have been on many of his programs since. As he said to me this morning, he has only had the Longo edition to go on. He will no doubt be very interested in your edition of sixty of the sonatas, but above all he wants, as he implied to me, to have some good long sessions with you on this subject. As you may know, he is taking this year off from concerts but next year will in all probability start again, and I shouldn't wonder if this time, more than ever, he would be emphasizing Scarlatti plus the knowledge that he wants to acquire on the subject from you.