Papers of Raymond Hanson, circa 1940-1999 [manuscript]
- Bib ID:
- 4982290
- Format:
- Manuscript
- Author:
- Hanson, Raymond, 1913-1976
- Related Online Resources:
- Finding aid available at National Library of Australia
- Access Conditions:
- Available for research. Not for loan.
- Description:
-
- [ca. 1940-1999]
- 0.63 m. (4 boxes) + 1 packet.
- Summary:
-
MS Acc10.101 comprises papers documenting Raymond Hanson's music career as a performer, teacher and composer. They include personal and business correspondence, programs, biographical material, war service records, curriculum material, music scores and a photograph. The curriculum material was developed by Hanson during his tenure as a lecturer at the New South Wales State Conservatorium of Music. The biographical material includes: a University of Sydney honours thesis on Hanson by Jonathan Whitting (1988); transcripts of interviews of Hanson by Max Keogh and Hazel de Berg; a catalogue of Hanson's works prepared by Graham Hardie; and notes by various researchers on Hanson's works.
The photograph is of Hanson with fellow composers, Robert Hughes, George English and Lindley Evans. The music scores include: "This land we love", an unpublished submission for the National Anthem competition, with words written by Marion Bolton; "Wilful waltz: an annual fugue"; a copy of "Wedding waltz"; Five portraits (Op. 23) (1954); Preludes for piano (Op. 2) (published); and a proposal for an opera "Jane Greer" with synopsis by James Thomson, 1973-1974. Also included is a score of "Sonatine" by Noel Nickson (4 boxes).
The Acc10.164 instalment comprises photographs, biographical material and a published music score. The photographs are uncaptioned and comprise portraits of Raymond Hanson and other photographs of Hanson with colleagues and students. There is a paper by Graham Hardie titled "Raymond Hanson (1913-76): notes towards a biography" (1995), and a short description written by Larry Sitsky of Hanson's personal qualities and musical career (1984). The music score is Five portraits (Op. 23) (ca. 1954), a collection of short pieces for piano, with a handwritten inscription by Hanson on the front cover, to his wife Moira (1 packet).
- Biography/History:
-
Composer and lecturer. Raymond Charles Hanson was born in Sydney and educated at Burwood Public and Fort Street Boys' High schools, although the Great Depression curtailed his formal education. Hanson was largely a self-taught musician, but received piano lessons from Ann Spillane and in 1930 gained the licentiate (piano) of the Associated Board of the Royal Academy of Music and the Royal College of Music. After the Second World War, in which he served for four and a half years, Hanson studied at the NSW State Conservatorium of Music with Alex Burnard between 1945 and 1947, as the recipient of a Fellowship in Composition. In 1948 Hanson became a teacher of Aural Training at the Conservatorium, and later Lecturer in Harmony and Composition, Counterpoint and Aesthetics of Music.
He continued on staff until 1962, teaching a number of students who were to become prominent composers, such as Nigel Butterley, Richard Meale and Barry Conyngham, and leading figures of the jazz world, such as Don Burrows. Hanson achieved a certain measure of success as a musician and composer during his lifetime. He gave recitals of his own compositions while in his twenties, and won prizes for his music during the war years. Unfortunately his music was considered too radical for performance in the 1940s and 1950s, and too conservative in the following two decades. Raymond Hanson's compositions number more than one hundred and include a symphony, a ballet, an opera, an oratorio, cantatas, concerti, chamber works, piano music and several film scores. Hanson died in Sydney in 1976.
- Notes:
- Manuscript reference no.: MS Acc10.101, MS Acc10.164.
- Related Material:
- Raymond Hanson interviewed by Hazel de Berg in the Hazel de Berg collection; Located at: National Library of Australia Oral History collection ORAL TRC 1/700-701.
- Reproduction:
- In part, photocopies. [S.l.].
- Subject:
-
- Hanson, Raymond, 1913-1976 -- Archives
- University of Sydney. Sydney Conservatorium of Music -- Employees -- Archives
- Composers -- Australia -- Archives
- Composers -- Australia -- Portraits
- College teachers -- Australia -- Archives
- Music -- Australia -- 20th century
- Composition (Music) -- 20th century
- Music -- Competitions -- Australia
- Concert programs
- Time Coverage:
- 1940-1999
- Occupation:
- Other authors/contributors:
- Terms of Use:
- Copying of Raymond Hanson's copyright material permitted for research purposes.
- Copyright:
-
Copyright Undetermined
If you wish to copy or order copies, contact us. For access conditions return to the record display above.
- Reason for copyright status:
- A Manuscript Collection may have a range of formats and dates.
Copyright status was determined using the following information:
- Material type:
- Literary Dramatic Musical
Copyright status may not be correct if data in the record is incomplete or inaccurate. Other access conditions may also apply. For more information please see: Copyright in library collections.