What are you looking for? 

Past members of the Orchestra and/or Choir: the easiest place to start is by looking at the orchestra and choir lists.

Past conductors: if you are interested in the repertoire favoured by particular conductors then browsing the programmes will give you a broad idea, however you will  need to visit the archive for more detailed information. The repertoire database currently covers the period 1858-1904, it is not yet accessible on-line but searches can be carried out by the archivist and the results emailed or posted.

Sir Charles and Lady Halle: there is a comparatively small amount of material, most of it letters; they crop up in the Manuscripts section and within the Private Collections. They are catalogued in full so you will find all the text. There are also several photographs.

Hans Richter: contracts can be found in the Board section under Halle Concerts Society, there are also photographs and letters, the best are amongst the Private Collections, particularly the Speelman Papers.

Sir Hamilton Harty: there are some letters, particularly in the Behrens Papers. The Board Minutes and appendixes for his period of tenure are also of interest. Sir Hamilton Harty is the first conductor for whom there are extant recordings in the Sound Recordings. There are also photographs and some reviews – try a keyword search for criticism. There are a few reminiscences in the oral history recordings.

Sir John Barbirolli: there are extensive photographs, the cuttings collections [under Marketing] dates from October 1943. Much of the administrative material available in the Halle Concerts Society section relates to Sir John’s 27 years as Principal Conductor. The orchestra schedules, which can be found under the Concerts department in the catalogue, date from 1945. Norah Winstanley was a player at the time, and Philip Godlee was Chairman when Sir John was appointed. Their papers can be found in the Private Collection and Chairman’s Papers (under the Board).

James Loughran, Stanislaw Skrowaczewski and Kent Nagano: with the exception of photographs, reminiscences, programmes and reviews, the majority of the administrative material for the period covered by these conductors is covered by the 30 year closure. Researchers with a specific area of interest are very welcome to contact the archivist for advice and access to material will be granted wherever possible.


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