Papers of John Antill, 1872-1987 [manuscript]
- Bib ID:
- 2655031
- Format:
- Manuscript
- Author:
- Antill, John, 1904-1986
- Online Version:
- National Library of Australia digitised item
- Related Online Resources:
- Finding aid at National Library of Australia
- Access Conditions:
- Part available for research; part requires permission of the Central Land Council for research (selected illustrations).
- Description:
-
- [1872-1987]
- 14.70 m. (39 boxes) + 42 fol. boxes.
- Summary:
-
MS 437 comprises: 1. Music manuscripts and other papers relating to the composition and performances of Antill's works. 2. Correspondence, diaries, notebooks, financial papers, speeches, broadcasts, scrap albums, photographs, newspaper cuttings, programs and other papers relating to his private and professional life, and his employment with the Australian Broadcasting Commission. 3. Family papers, particularly of his wife, Constance Antill, his daughter Jill Antill, and his parents, John Henry Antill and Marianne Elizabeth Antill (39 boxes + 42 fol. boxes).
The MS Acc07.092 instalment includes: posters; programmes; printed material; sheet music; and a notebook (2 boxes).
The MS Acc08.129 instalment includes: original score of Antill's Black Opal ballet, journal containing Antill's reflections after the premiere of Corroboree; a complete listing of Antill's works; and a small scrap book compiled by Antill's aunt which includes insights into his early musical inspirations. Small amount of correspondence - business and personal; sketches, outlines and ideas for musical works and libretti; drafts of speeches; black and white portrait photographs; theatre programs; diaries (two kept by Antill's father - 1916 and 1919 and two kept by Antill - 1972 and 1982); and newspaper clippings (2 boxes + 1 fol. box).
- Biography/History:
-
Composer, conductor and music editor of the ABC. John Henry Antill was born on 8 April 1904 and grew up in Sydney. He was educated at St. Andrew's Cathedral Choir School, 1914-1918, and Trinity Grammar School, 1918-1919, where he showed an early interest in music. In 1920 he left school and was apprenticed to the engineering workshops of NSW Railways, composing music in his spare time. After completing a five year apprenticeship, Antill resigned to concentrate fully on his music. Antill studied at the NSW State Conservatorium of Music where his teacher for composition was Alfred Hill. After graduating from the Conservatorium, Antill joined the J.C. Williamson's Imperial Opera Company as a singer and rehearsal conductor, touring Sydney, Melbourne and New Zealand during 1932 and 1933.
In 1933 he formed the Mastersingers Male Quartet and began broadcasting work with the ABC. From 1934-1935 he joined the Fuller Opera Company as a chorus member, backstage conductor and clarinet player and in 1936 played bass clarinet with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. In 1936 Antill joined the permanent staff of the ABC as Assistant Music Editor and director of the Sydney Wireless Chorus. He remained with the ABC until his retirement from the position of Federal Music Editor in 1968. Antill composed music throughout his life, and rose to international prominence with the performances of his symphonic ballet "Corroboree" in 1946. He was awarded the OBE for his services to Australian music in 1971, and received an Honorary Doctorate in Creative Arts from the University of Wollongong in 1985. John Antill died on 29 December, 1986.
- Notes:
-
- Manuscript reference no.: MS 437; MS Acc07.092; MS Acc08.129.
- Works in this collection (selected pages of MS 437/8a/Fol. 1, MS 437/8a/1 and MS 437/8a/8) contain culturally sensitive illustrations. Access to these illustrations has been restricted at the request of senior Arrernte Law men. In advising of this request, the Central Land Council noted that "the use of secret images by Antill et al show that at the same time Aboriginal ritual and religion was being feted it was being undermined and treated with disdain".
- Selected item(s) also available online https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-229623879
- Related Material:
-
- Corroboree (labanotation score of the ballet Corroboree); Located at; National Library of Australia Manuscripts collection MS 9469.
- Music scores of Louis Lavater, 1950-1973; Located at; National Library of Australia Manuscripts collection MS 1128.
- John Antill collection of photographs; Located at; National Library of Australia Pictures collection PIC/8590/1-55 LOC Cold store PIC Ant A.
- Conversation with John Antill; Located at; National Library of Australia Oral History collection ORAL TRC 1/57.
- Index/Finding Aid Note:
- Finding aid available online.
- Subject:
- Time Coverage:
- 1872-1987
- Occupation:
- Composers
- Other authors/contributors:
- Terms of Use:
- Copying of John Antill's copyright material is part permitted for research purposes; part permission required.
- Related Records:
-
This is a collection.
This collection contains 2 records. - 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.
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