Evidently in response to a request, Coates writes: I have often thought of transcribing my "Saxo-Rhapsody" for viola, but, up to date, I have never seemed to have had the time to get down to it. Your letter, however, has revived my interest...

Eric Coates was a prolific English composer of popular, film, and orchestral music. His works were widely appreciated and often noted for their clever orchestration. The letter is accompanied by an obituary of Coates, entitled Composer of Light Music, clipped from an unidentified newspaper.