Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1933-1990 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
c9 boxes
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Adrian Francis Cruft, born Mitcham, 10 Feb 1921; educated Westminster Abbey Choir School and Westminster School; studied composition and double bass at Royal College of Music, 1938-1940 and 1946-1947; war service, 1940-1945; played with major London orchestras, 1947-1969; appointed teacher of harmony (composition), Royal College of Music, Jan 1962; Chairman of the Composers' Guild, 1966, and instrumental in the foundation of the British Music Information Centre, 1967; compositions include four cantatas, settings of anthems, canticles and carols, chamber music and orchestral works; died 20 Feb 1987.
Repository
Archival history
GB 1249 MSS 6229-6244 1933-1990 Collection (fonds) c9 boxes Cruft , Adrian Francis , 1921-1987 , composer and musician
Adrian Francis Cruft, born Mitcham, 10 Feb 1921; educated Westminster Abbey Choir School and Westminster School; studied composition and double bass at Royal College of Music, 1938-1940 and 1946-1947; war service, 1940-1945; played with major London orchestras, 1947-1969; appointed teacher of harmony (composition), Royal College of Music, Jan 1962; Chairman of the Composers' Guild, 1966, and instrumental in the foundation of the British Music Information Centre, 1967; compositions include four cantatas, settings of anthems, canticles and carols, chamber music and orchestral works; died 20 Feb 1987.
Deposited in the RCM by Mrs Jocelyn Cruft, 1990-2001.
Personal papers of Adrian Francis Cruft, 1933-1990, including diaries, 1936-1968 (missing 1938,1955, 1961); correspondence during his war service, 1945; notebooks on Associated Board trips to Africa, Prague and Malta, 1969-1986; typescript and manuscript notes by Cruft, giving biographical details, letters to the press, thoughts on composition and thoughts of Eugene Cruft (father) on the double bass; articles by others on Cruft; volume of published and typescript articles and talks by Cruft, 1958-1984, on music and other musicians, including Gordon Jacob, Edmund Rubbra, Bernard Stevens, the Royal Society of Musicians, the double bass, the British Music Information Centre; press and magazine cuttings on Cruft and his work; commission payments and contracts, 1948-1982; replies to Cruft from others on performance of his music, including Evelyn Rothwell, Peter Pears and Janet Baker; music certificates and diplomas, 1948-1981; programmes, 1947-1950s of concerts with Cruft as an orchestral player; obituaries on Cruft; mementos of early education, including school reports, certificates, cuttings, programmes and tickets, 1933-1937; reports on Cruft as student at Royal College of Music; letters from friends and colleagues, including Jacob, Rubbra, Adrian Boult and Malcom Arnold; papers relating to the Adrian Cruft Prize at the RCM, 1980s; files relating to particular institutions or subjects, including the World Association and British Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, the British Broadcasting Corporation, Society for the Promotion of New Music, music in rural schools; correspondence of Cruft and Jocelyn Cruft with international contacts and institutions, 1980s-1990; personal and business correspondence, 1980s; copyright and commission statements, 1960s-1990.
The papers have not been thoroughly sorted and are largely as deposited. There is some rough overall arrangement as follows: Music writings (articles on Cruft and on other musicians); musical life; personalia/miscellaneous biographical documents; copyright and commission statements; international correspondence; war correspondence; business correspondence. The 1980s business correspondence is divided alphabetically by letter; the 1980s international correspondence is divided by country.
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.
A partial detailed listing of Cruft's music manuscripts and personal papers is available in the catalogue of manuscripts at the Library, Royal College of Music.
The Royal College of Music also holds manuscripts of Cruft's music, and clippings relating to his works (refs: 6071-6228).
Compiled by Robert Baxter as part of the RSLP AIM25 Project. Source: Article by Hugo Cole and John Cruft, Grove Dictionary of Music. 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. May 2001; revised March 2002 Africa Arnold , Sir , Malcolm Henry , b 1921 , Knight , composer Artists Baker , Dame , Janet , b 1933 , mezzo-soprano BBC , British Broadcasting Corporation x British Broadcasting Corporation British Association of Symphonic Bands British Music Information Centre Classical music Composers Cruft , Adrian Francis , 1921-1987 , composer and musician Cruft , Eugene John , 1887-1976 , double bass player Czechoslovakia Eastern Europe Europe International conflicts Jacob , Gordon Percival Septimus , 1895-1984 , composer, teacher and writer Malta Music Musical instruments Musical performances Musical styles Musicians Orchestras Pears , Sir , Peter Pears , 1910-1986 , Knight , singer Performers Prague Rothwell , Evelyn , b 1911 , aftewards Barbirolli , oboist x Barbirolli , Evelyn Royal College of Music Royal Society of Musicians Rubbra , Edmund Charles , 1901-1986 , pianist and composer Society for the Promotion of New Music Stevens , Bernard George , 1916-1983 , composer War Western Europe World Association of Symphonic Bands World wars (events) World War Two (1939-1945) Wars (events) Performing arts Musical performers
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Deposited in the RCM by Mrs Jocelyn Cruft, 1990-2001.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Personal papers of Adrian Francis Cruft, 1933-1990, including diaries, 1936-1968 (missing 1938,1955, 1961); correspondence during his war service, 1945; notebooks on Associated Board trips to Africa, Prague and Malta, 1969-1986; typescript and manuscript notes by Cruft, giving biographical details, letters to the press, thoughts on composition and thoughts of Eugene Cruft (father) on the double bass; articles by others on Cruft; volume of published and typescript articles and talks by Cruft, 1958-1984, on music and other musicians, including Gordon Jacob, Edmund Rubbra, Bernard Stevens, the Royal Society of Musicians, the double bass, the British Music Information Centre; press and magazine cuttings on Cruft and his work; commission payments and contracts, 1948-1982; replies to Cruft from others on performance of his music, including Evelyn Rothwell, Peter Pears and Janet Baker; music certificates and diplomas, 1948-1981; programmes, 1947-1950s of concerts with Cruft as an orchestral player; obituaries on Cruft; mementos of early education, including school reports, certificates, cuttings, programmes and tickets, 1933-1937; reports on Cruft as student at Royal College of Music; letters from friends and colleagues, including Jacob, Rubbra, Adrian Boult and Malcom Arnold; papers relating to the Adrian Cruft Prize at the RCM, 1980s; files relating to particular institutions or subjects, including the World Association and British Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, the British Broadcasting Corporation, Society for the Promotion of New Music, music in rural schools; correspondence of Cruft and Jocelyn Cruft with international contacts and institutions, 1980s-1990; personal and business correspondence, 1980s; copyright and commission statements, 1960s-1990.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
The papers have not been thoroughly sorted and are largely as deposited. There is some rough overall arrangement as follows: Music writings (articles on Cruft and on other musicians); musical life; personalia/miscellaneous biographical documents; copyright and commission statements; international correspondence; war correspondence; business correspondence. The 1980s business correspondence is divided alphabetically by letter; the 1980s international correspondence is divided by country.
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
The Royal College of Music also holds manuscripts of Cruft's music, and clippings relating to his works (refs: 6071-6228).
Finding aids
A partial detailed listing of Cruft's music manuscripts and personal papers is available in the catalogue of manuscripts at the Library, Royal College of Music.
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Publication note
Notes area
Note
Alternative identifier(s)
Access points
Subject access points
- Artists
- Musical styles » Classical music
- Artists » Performers » Musicians » Composers
- International conflicts
- Music
- Music » Musical instruments
- Music » Musical performances
- Musical styles
- Artists » Performers » Musicians
- Music » Orchestras
- Artists » Performers
- International conflicts » War
- Performing arts
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