A collection of 48 programmes from various BBC concerts, 1942 to 1943. The programmes cover a number of BBC ensembles, from concerts in London and the provinces. Some programmes contain analytical programme notes.

There are a number of programmes from the BBC Symphony Orchestra and BBC Orchestra. There are programmes from the following locations: Royal Albert Hall; Corn Exchange, Bedford; Guildhall, Cambridge; National Gallery; Coliseum, Aberdare. Occasional concerts featured performances from the following groups: BBC Singers, BBC Chorus, Merthyr and District Philharmonic Choir. The concerts given in Bedford were from "Lunch hour concerts" (Fridays) and "Symphony concerts" (Wednesdays).

The collection includes programmes from a tour by the BBC Theatre Orchestra to the following locations: Alma Cinema, Luton; Granada Cinema, Bedford; New Theatre, Oxford; Lyric Cinema, Wellingborough; Savoy Cinema Theatre, Kettering; The Ritz, Rushden [Northamptonshire]; Bedford School Great Hall; Corn Exchange, Bedford. These concerts were conducted by Stanford Robinson, and also featured performances by the BBC Chorus and the BBC Theatre Chorus.

There is a small amount of programmes from the BBC Midland Light Orchestra, conducted by Rae Jenkins. These took place in the Town Hall, Leamington and the Town Hall Kidderminster.

There is a small amount of programmes from the BBC Military Band. These programmes are from concerts given in Northern Island, at the following venues: Wellington Hall, Belfast; Town Hall, Newry; Town Hall, Ballymena. These concerts were conducted by P.S.G. O’Donnell, and included a performance with the Queen’s Island Male Voice Choir.

Various programmes in the collection are connected to domestic initiatives relating to World War Two: examples include series such as “National Gallery Concerts” and “Bedford Holidays at Home”.

Arrangement:
The collection is divided by ensemble; each ensemble is loosely arranged chronologically.

1942 - 1943

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Not Specific

• British Broadcasting Corporation -
• BBC Symphony Orchestra -
• National Gallery Wartime concerts -
• BBC Singers -
• Robinson, Stanford -
• BBC Chorus -
• BBC Midland Light Orchestra -
• BBC Military Band -
• BBC Orchestra -
• BBC Theatre Chorus -
• BBC theatre orchestra 1931 - 1949
• Holidays at home -
• Jenkins, Rae -
• Merthyr and District Philharmonic Choir -
• O'Donnell, P.S.G. -
• Queen's Island Male Voice Choir -

• National Gallery
• Corn Exchange, Bedford
• Bedford School Hall
• Guildhall, Cambridge
• Royal Albert Hall
• Alma Cinema, Luton
• Coliseum, Aberdare
• Lyric Cinema, Wellingborough
• National Gallery
• New Theatre, Oxford (Became Apollo, late 1970s; reverted to New Theatre, early 2000s)
• Savoy Cinema Theatre, Kettering
• Town Hall, Ballymena
• Town Hall, Kidderminster
• Town Hall, Leamington Spa
• Town Hall, Newry

• 20th century - mid 1931-1970

• Analytical Notes

College Hall 220-238 Goldhawk Road London W12 9PL

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portraits@rcm.ac.uk

020 7591 4340

020 7589 7740 

Mon-Fri by appointment

The Portraits and Performance History Collection and its associated reading room is housed in a recently adapted space within the RCM's College Hall, its hall of residence for students. There is step-free access for visitors.

The Centre for Performance History (CPH) is a research centre and is also responsible for the stewardship of two well-established RCM research collections, the Museum of Instruments and the Portraits and Performance History Collection (PPHC). The latter houses a diverse collection relating to the history of performance including the RCM’s internationally famous collection of images, comprising 340 original portraits and sculptures and 25,000 prints and photographs, forming the most comprehensive archive of likenesses of musicians in the UK. The collection of 600,000 concert programmes from 1720 to the present day is of major importance for research into the history of music, society and culture.