CLIFFE, Frederic (1857-1931)

Identity Statement

Reference code(s)	: GB 1249 MS 6870-6871
Held at	: Royal College of Music   Click here to find out how to view this collection at http://www.rcm.ac.uk/library/contactus/archivesandrecords/ ›
Full title	: CLIFFE, Frederic (1857-1931)
Date(s)	: 1889-1929
Level of description	: Collection (fonds)
Extent	: 2 files
Name of creator(s)	: Cliffe | Frederic | 1857-1931 | musician, composer and teacher

Context

Administrative/Biographical history:

Born Lowmoor, near Bradford, 2 May 1857; was an accomplished child pianist and organist; studied at the National Training School for Music, joined the piano teaching staff of the Royal College of Music, 1883; also taught at the Royal Academy of Music and travelled extensively as a solo pianist, accompanist and examiner; organist to the 1886 Leeds Festival; organist to the Bach Choir, 1888-1894; compositions included two symphonies and a violin concerto; ceased composing after c1905; retired from RCM,1929; died London, 19 Nov 1931.

Content

Scope and content/abstract:

Papers of Frederic Cliffe, comprising cuttings and correspondence, Feb 1908, regarding Cliffe's letter to The Daily Telegraph, advocating the performance of opera in the English language, and the establishment of a national opera house, 11 Feb 1908; Cliffe's reports as examiner on compositions of students at the Royal College of Music, 1907-1908; agreement with Novello & Co for publication of his 'Ode to the North East Wind', 1905; marriage certificate, 1897; Freemason's certificates, 1895 (MS 6870). Letters (c25) to Cliffe, 1889-1929, including from Sir George Grove and August Manns on performance of Cliffe's symphony for Crystal Palace, 1889; from C V Stanford, regarding submission of Cliffe's work for the Leeds Festival, 1901; from Hubert H Parry recommending Cliffe for appointment as Principal of the Guildhall School of Music, 1910; from Sir Hugh Allen, on Cliffe's retirement from the RCM, 1929 (MS 6871).

Access & Use

Language/scripts of material:
English.

System of arrangement:

In two files: various papers (MS 6870); correspondence, 1889-1929 (MS 6871).

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.

Finding aids:

The collection is catalogued in the 'Provisional catalogue of letters in the RCM library' by J Kersey, 1997, vol 1. An entry is also given in the supplement to volume 3 of the Manuscripts catalogue in the library of the Royal College of Music.

Archival Information

Archival history:

Immediate source of acquisition:

Received by the RCM from Cedric Cliffe, c1963.

Allied Materials

Related material:

National Register of Archives: Click here to view NRA record

Publication note:

Description Notes

Archivist's note:
Compiled by Robert Baxter as part of the RSLP AIM25 Project. Source: article by Guy Warrack, Grove Dictionary of Music.

Rules or conventions:
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.

Date(s) of descriptions:
Nov 2001