Journal of Catalan Studies 2012 151 Robert Gerhard and John B. Trend: Correspondence, Collaborations and Exchanges Samuel Llano University of Cambridge This article explores the relationship between Roberto Gerhard (1896- 1970) a Catalan composer who took exile in Cambridge during the Civil War, and John B. Trend (1887-1958), the first Professor of Spanish in Cambridge, and an instrumental figure in helping the former to secure a refugee scholarship and, subsequently, a keen supporter of his career in post-war Britain. The first part of the article covers the exchange of letters between Gerhard, Trend and the latter's partner Edward J. Dent –Professor of Music in Cambridge and President of the International Society for Contemporary Music– which lead to the award of a refugee scholarship in King's College, Cambridge. Analysis of their correspondence will help to unveil details about one of the most obscure but thrilling and decisive episodes in Gerhard’s life; and will help to understand the basis on which their relationship developed subsequently. The second part deals with Trend's aesthetic perception of Gerhard’s music, which revealed a more advanced conception of Catalan and Spanish music than could be found in the work of contemporary Hispanists like the French scholar Henri Collet. Among the many ramifications of Trend's activity and his multiple interests, music occupied no minor position, his musical interests and knowledge being nearly as varied and extensive as his literary scholarship. One of the most exciting chapters of Trend's musicological facet was his relationship with Gerhard, not the least because of the latter's international reputation and the fact that he has attracted increasing scholarly attention in recent years. 1 Trend's 1 A series of publications have appeared in the last two decades, starting by the English translation of Homs' biography (Homs 2000) and a compilation of Gerhard's most relevant writings (Bowen 2000). A research team in the University of Huddersfield have organised two conferences on Gerhard in 2010 and 2012, and digitized the lot of Gerhard's numerous tapes held at the Cambridge University Library. See http://www.robertogerhard.com/