Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- c1897-1903 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
2 files
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Samuel Coleridge-Taylor (1875-1912) studied composition at the Royal College of Music, 1890-1897. He enjoyed frequent public performances of his music, including concerts at the RCM and in Croydon, Surrey, during this period. He received his first commission, from the Three Choirs Festival, in 1898. This work, the Ballade in A minor for orchestra, was well received at its first performance. His best known work, the cantata 'Hiawatha's Wedding Feast' was given its first performance in the same year and became widely acclaimed in England and the USA. The period 1897-1903 saw prolific composition by Coleridge-Taylor, particularly for festival commissions and incidental music for plays. He was active as a conductor: he worked for the Handel Society, and became their permanent conductor in 1904 until his death. He was also conductor of the Westmorland Festival, 1901-1904, and of many choral and orchestral societies. He also undertook much teaching in and around Croydon, and was appointed professor of composition at Trinity College of Music, London, in 1903. Edith Carr was an amateur violinist in South Croydon and aged in her twenties around the time of the correspondence with Coleridge-Taylor. She appears to have played in musical ensembles under Coleridge-Taylor's conduction.
Repository
Archival history
GB 1249 MS 6916, MS 6924 c1897-1903 Collection (fonds) 2 files Taylor , Samuel Coleridge- , 1875-1912 , composer
Samuel Coleridge-Taylor (1875-1912) studied composition at the Royal College of Music, 1890-1897. He enjoyed frequent public performances of his music, including concerts at the RCM and in Croydon, Surrey, during this period. He received his first commission, from the Three Choirs Festival, in 1898. This work, the Ballade in A minor for orchestra, was well received at its first performance. His best known work, the cantata 'Hiawatha's Wedding Feast' was given its first performance in the same year and became widely acclaimed in England and the USA. The period 1897-1903 saw prolific composition by Coleridge-Taylor, particularly for festival commissions and incidental music for plays. He was active as a conductor: he worked for the Handel Society, and became their permanent conductor in 1904 until his death. He was also conductor of the Westmorland Festival, 1901-1904, and of many choral and orchestral societies. He also undertook much teaching in and around Croydon, and was appointed professor of composition at Trinity College of Music, London, in 1903. Edith Carr was an amateur violinist in South Croydon and aged in her twenties around the time of the correspondence with Coleridge-Taylor. She appears to have played in musical ensembles under Coleridge-Taylor's conduction.
MS 6916 was presented to the RCM by Miss Ann L'Espine via Mrs Jeanne Pingree, Oct 1982. MS 6924 was presented to the RCM by Miss E May Rowbotham (whose mother-in-law was cousin to Edith Carr), Feb 1984.
Letters (16) from Samuel Coleridge-Taylor to Edith Carr, (one dated 1897, remainder undated) mainly relating to his musical activities, publication of his recent works, repertoire for violin and orchestral parts for Carr's performance, the Handel Society; photocopy of photograph of Coleridge-Taylor, with dedication to Carr, 1902; printed letter (signed by Coleridge-Taylor) to a Mrs Prince inviting subscriptions for the Coleridge-Taylor Orchestral Concerts, Croydon, 1903-1904, with receipt for same, and photocopy of handbill for Central Croydon Choral Society concert featuring Coleridge-Taylor's cantata Meg Blane, 28 Mar 1903.
In two files: MS 6916 contains the ephemeral material relating to the Croydon Concerts; MS 6924 comprises the letters to Edith Carr.
Usual conditions of the Library of the Royal College of Music apply. See the RCM website or contact the RCM Library for details.
Photocopying is permitted at the discretion of the Archivist for research purposes only.
English.
The collection is catalogued in the 'Provisional catalogue of letters in the RCM library' by J Kersey, 1997, vol 1.
RCM Portraits department holds the originals of the photograph of Coleridge-Taylor and the handbill of the Croydon Concert.
British Library, Music Collections, holds scores and manuscript music (Ref: Add MSS 50763-65, 54370-72, 62519-21, 63798-813); Black Cultural Archives holds music scores.
Compiled by Robert Baxter as part of the RSLP AIM25 Project. Source: Grove Dictionary of Music; National Register of Archives. Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997. Mar 2002 Artists Central Croydon Choral Society Classical music Composers Croydon England Europe Handel Society Music Musical performances Musical styles Musicians Orchestras Performers Surrey Taylor , Samuel Coleridge- , 1875-1912 , composer x Coleridge-Taylor , Samuel UK Vocal music Western Europe Performing arts London Musical performers
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
MS 6916 was presented to the RCM by Miss Ann L'Espine via Mrs Jeanne Pingree, Oct 1982. MS 6924 was presented to the RCM by Miss E May Rowbotham (whose mother-in-law was cousin to Edith Carr), Feb 1984.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Letters (16) from Samuel Coleridge-Taylor to Edith Carr, (one dated 1897, remainder undated) mainly relating to his musical activities, publication of his recent works, repertoire for violin and orchestral parts for Carr's performance, the Handel Society; photocopy of photograph of Coleridge-Taylor, with dedication to Carr, 1902; printed letter (signed by Coleridge-Taylor) to a Mrs Prince inviting subscriptions for the Coleridge-Taylor Orchestral Concerts, Croydon, 1903-1904, with receipt for same, and photocopy of handbill for Central Croydon Choral Society concert featuring Coleridge-Taylor's cantata Meg Blane, 28 Mar 1903.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
In two files: MS 6916 contains the ephemeral material relating to the Croydon Concerts; MS 6924 comprises the letters to Edith Carr.
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Usual conditions of the Library of the Royal College of Music apply. See the RCM website or contact the RCM Library for details.
Conditions governing reproduction
Photocopying is permitted at the discretion of the Archivist for research purposes only.
Language of material
- English
Script of material
- Latin
Language and script notes
English.
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
The collection is catalogued in the 'Provisional catalogue of letters in the RCM library' by J Kersey, 1997, vol 1.
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
British Library, Music Collections, holds scores and manuscript music (Ref: Add MSS 50763-65, 54370-72, 62519-21, 63798-813); Black Cultural Archives holds music scores.
Publication note
Notes area
Note
Alternative identifier(s)
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
Genre access points
Description control area
Description identifier
Institution identifier
Rules and/or conventions used
Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.
Status
Level of detail
Dates of creation revision deletion
Language(s)
- English