Records showing both the headline artistic triumphs and the day-to-day dedication that have made hcmf a success over the past 32 years have been saved for future study, thanks to a new archive at the University of Huddersfield.

An official hcmf collection is now housed in the newly refurbished University Archives, whose other collections include records of the Huddersfield Literary and Scientific Society and the Rugby Football League archive.

The archive was officially launched on Friday 20 November, the first day of hcmf 2009. As well as Professor Tim Thornton, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Teaching and Learning and Professor Andrew Ball, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research and Enterprise, speakers at the opening included hcmf Artistic Director Graham McKenzie and Professor Richard Steinitz, founder of the first festival in 1978 and its director for more than two decades.

Professor Steinitz recalled arriving at the then Huddersfield Polytechnic in 1961 to discover that there was no music library. He took steps to establish one, and paid tribute to the present-day University collection as one of the finest in the UK. He also recalled the difficulties encountered by the organisers of the inaugural hcmf in 1978 when severe winter fog disrupted many musicians’ travel.

The links between hcmf and the University of Huddersfield were strengthened in 2008 with the announcement of the university as the festival’s headline sponsor. When the on-campus hcmf office moved locations, the resulting transfer of paperwork and other materials was the cue for establishing a formal archive.

Although the collection contains programmes, brochures and posters from every past festival, the main quantity is behind-the-scenes material. From commissioned scores to correspondence with artists and composers, these provide a revealing insight into the organisation of each hcmf event.

One highlight of the archive is a series of handwritten letters from Karlheinz Stockhausen, penned in the late composer’s idiosyncratic style: “I send you the Greeting. Cowbell: ok. Rooms at ‘George’ ok. I will bring ear plugs.” The collection also comprises recorded interviews with eight major composers, including Iannis Xenakis, George Benjamin and Pierre Boulez.

Under the care of the University Archivist Hilary Haigh, the hcmf archive is currently being catalogued by specialist staff, with some items, such as rapidly fading faxes, in need of conservation work. However, the collection is already available as a resource for academics and students, with a new home sufficiently spacious to house the records of many future festivals.

University of Huddersfield Archives page

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