IDENTITY STATEMENT
Reference code(s): GB 1249 MSS 6229-6244
Held at: Royal College of Music
Title: CRUFT, Adrian Francis (1921-1987)
Date(s): 1933-1990
Level of description: Collection (fonds)
Extent: c9 boxes
Name of creator(s): Cruft | Adrian Francis | 1921-1987 | composer and musician
CONTEXT
Administrative/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.
CONTENT
Scope and content/abstract:
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.
ACCESS AND USE
Language/scripts of material: English.
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 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.
Physical characteristics:
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.
ARCHIVAL INFORMATION
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information:
Accruals:
Archival history:
Immediate source of acquisition:
Deposited in the RCM by Mrs Jocelyn Cruft, 1990-2001.
ALLIED MATERIALS
Existence and location of originals:
Existence and location of copies:
Related material:
The Royal College of Music also holds manuscripts of Cruft's music, and clippings relating to his works (refs: 6071-6228).
Publication note:
DESCRIPTION NOTES
Note:
Archivist's note: Compiled by Robert Baxter as part of the RSLP AIM25 Project. Source: Article by Hugo Cole and John Cruft, Grove Dictionary of Music.
Date(s) of descriptions: May 2001; revised March 2002