2 - The text

Summary

Tippett – T. S. Eliot – allusion

Central to the development of the work as a whole and the text in particular was Tippett's association with T. S. Eliot. During his student days Tippett had familiarised himself with Eliot's poetry, which was to become a significant preoccupation along with Eliot's critical writings, with ‘Tradition and the Individual Talent’ providing a profound point of contact and resulting influence on Tippett's wider cultural horizons. Eliot's concern with the so-called ‘dissociation of sensibility’ and his interpretation of what he considered as the resulting corruption of English poetic traditions resonated with Tippett's own involvement with earlier English musical styles and forms, particularly the music of Purcell.

The personal association between Tippett and Eliot began in 1937 and developed into deep discussions concerning poetry and language, with Eliot acting as unofficial tutor for Tippett's wider intellectual and aesthetic development. According to Tippett,

It was quite by accident that I came into contact with T. S. Eliot. Yet soon he was to turn into a sort of artistic mentor … Although we had no professional involvement, I managed to talk to Eliot extensively then about the nature of poetry and drama: matters which were deeply occupying his own mind at that time [i.e. 1936–8]. Our talks took place later in his room at Faber and Faber's. I would indicate that I'd like to see him, and he would generally invite me to tea. […]