Guide to the Papers of Ernest Llewellyn

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MS 9215 et al

National Library of Australia View Catalogue Record

Collection Summary

Creator
Ernest Llewellyn
Title
Papers of Ernest Llewellyn
Date Range
1911-2004
Collection Number
MS 9215 et al
Extent
14.55 metres (51 boxes, 4 cartons, 1 small carton, 1 volume)
Language of Materials
English
Repository
National Library of Australia

Introduction

Scope and Content

The papers are a record of the career, in part, of one of Australia's finest musicians. They document Ernest Llewellyn's career as a solo violinist, chamber music player, orchestral leader, conductor, teacher and music administrator. There are, unfortunately, no papers from the Melbourne and Sydney periods of his career. However, Llewellyn's Canberra appointments are well documented and the papers would be a good source for the study of the history of music in Canberra. Invitations to be a juror at the prestigious Tchaikovsky competition in Moscow, to advise on teaching methods in China, and to conduct and advise on the establishment of a conservatorium in Ottawa, show his high international standing.

The papers include correspondence, personal documents, appointment books, invitations, cuttings, reports, programs dating back to the 1930s, and music scores with his markings and annotations.

Conditions Governing Access

Please refer to the collection's catalogue record for the access conditions (http://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn2097173).

Conditions Governing Use

Copying and publishing of unpublished manuscript material is subject to copyright restrictions. For such material, written permission to publish must be obtained from the copyright holder(s). Copying of unpublished material for research purposes is permissible 50 years after the death of the creator of the material.

Preferred Citation

Items from this collection should be cited as '[Title or description of manuscript item], Papers of Ernest Llewellyn, National Library of Australia [class number, box number and series and/or file number]'.

Provenance

The papers were donated to the Library by Mrs Ruth Llewellyn in 1990 and 1994

An addition of papers relating to pianist Hephzibah Menuhin (Series 23) was donated to the Library by Mrs Ruth Llewellyn in 2001.

'Ernest Llewellyn: man of music', an unpublished biography by Priscilla Kennedy, is held by the Manuscript Section (MS 8133).

Biographical Note

DateEvent
1915Born in Kurri Kurri, NSW
1921-30Educated at Kurri Kurri State School, Maitland High School, and for six months, at the NSW Conservatorium of Music
1934First violin lesson with Jascha Gopinko
1934-37Violist, Sydney String Quartet Deputy leader, viola section, Sydney ABC Orchestra
1936Established reputation as soloist under Sir Malcolm Sargent
1939Declined offer of deputy leader of Scottish National Orchestra
1939Married Ruth Smith, daughter of A. E. Smith, luthier
1940-42Deputy leader, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Teaching staff, Melbourne University Leader, Melbourne University String Quartet
1942-44Service in RAAF
1944-48Leader, Queensland State String Quartet
1948QSSQ tour of New Zealand
1949Toured the eastern states with Hephzibah Menuhin presenting complete violin and piano sonatas of Beethoven
1949-64Concertmaster, Sydney Symphony Orchestra (Assistant Conductor, 1959-64)
1949-55Leader of ABC String Quartet
1952Toured New Zealand with Llewellyn Kennedy Trio
1956William Kapell Memorial Scholarship Fulbright Research Award, affiliated with Juillard School of Music
1958Music director, Chamber Music Festival at Mittagong
1964Resigned as Concertmaster and Assistant Conductor, Sydney Symphony Orchestra
1965Founding Director, Canberra School of Music
1966-80Musical Director and Conductor, Canberra Symphony Orchestra
1968MBE for services to music
1970CBE for services to music
1974Invitation to attend fifth International Tchaikovsky competition in Moscow as an 'honoured guest'
1976Canberra School of Music building opened by the Governor General
1978First Australian to serve on a jury in the Tchaikovsky competition
1979Visited China to advise on teaching methods
1980Second visit to China
1980Retired as Director, Canberra School of Music
1981-82Established Wollongong Branch Conservatorium of Music Plans in hand for third visit to China, exchange visit to Ottowa as conductor
1982Died on 12 July in Sydney
DateEvent
1915Born in Kurri Kurri, NSW
1921-30Educated at Kurri Kurri State School, Maitland High School, and for six months, at the NSW Conservatorium of Music
1934First violin lesson with Jascha Gopinko
1934-37Violist, Sydney String Quartet Deputy leader, viola section, Sydney ABC Orchestra
1936Established reputation as soloist under Sir Malcolm Sargent
1939Declined offer of deputy leader of Scottish National Orchestra
1939Married Ruth Smith, daughter of A. E. Smith, luthier
1940-42Deputy leader, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Teaching staff, Melbourne University Leader, Melbourne University String Quartet
1942-44Service in RAAF
1944-48Leader, Queensland State String Quartet
1948QSSQ tour of New Zealand
1949Toured the eastern states with Hephzibah Menuhin presenting complete violin and piano sonatas of Beethoven
1949-64Concertmaster, Sydney Symphony Orchestra (Assistant Conductor, 1959-64)
1949-55Leader of ABC String Quartet
1952Toured New Zealand with Llewellyn Kennedy Trio
1956William Kapell Memorial Scholarship Fulbright Research Award, affiliated with Juillard School of Music
1958Music director, Chamber Music Festival at Mittagong
1964Resigned as Concertmaster and Assistant Conductor, Sydney Symphony Orchestra
1965Founding Director, Canberra School of Music
1966-80Musical Director and Conductor, Canberra Symphony Orchestra
1968MBE for services to music
1970CBE for services to music
1974Invitation to attend fifth International Tchaikovsky competition in Moscow as an 'honoured guest'
1976Canberra School of Music building opened by the Governor General
1978First Australian to serve on a jury in the Tchaikovsky competition
1979Visited China to advise on teaching methods
1980Second visit to China
1980Retired as Director, Canberra School of Music
1981-82Established Wollongong Branch Conservatorium of Music Plans in hand for third visit to China, exchange visit to Ottowa as conductor
1982Died on 12 July in Sydney

Item Descriptions

Class MS 9215. Original consignment

Comprises correspondence, personal documents, appointment books, invitations, cuttings, reports, programs dating back to the 1930s, and music scores with his markings and annotations. There are no papers from the Melbourne and Sydney periods of his career. However, his Queensland appointment with the State String Quartet, and his Canberra appointments, as director of the Canberra School of Music, and as musical director and conductor of the Canberra Symphony Orchestra, are well documented. There are also papers from his year in America on the William Kapell Memorial Scholarship in 1956, and from invitations as an "honored guest" and later a juror at the International Tchaikovsky Competition held in Moscow in 1974 and 1978.

Contained in 49 boxes.

Series 1. General correspondence, 1942-82

The correspondence is with friends, colleagues, fellow musicians, members of the public expressing appreciation or asking for advice on an instrument, and Chinese students. There are many letters from Vera and Isaac Stern, the last one written on 29 May 1982, expressing great pleasure that Llewellyn might be in New York later that year.

There are no letters from the time Llewellyn spent with the Melbourne and Sydney Symphony Orchestras.

Correspondents include Vera and Isaac Stern, Eugene Goosens, Bernard Heinze, Sydney May, George English, Lyndell Hendricksen, David Worrall, Ruth Alexander, Terry Colhoun, Lou Engledow, John Hopkins, Harold Hort, Dean Dixon, Richard Kingsland, Mirrie Hill, Joseph Post, Allen McCristal, Colin Brumby, Frank Horner, Ronald Smart, John Painter, John Antill, Zelman Cowen and Maie Casey.

1933, 1942-46 (File 1) - Box 1
1947 (File 2) - Box 1
1948-56 (File 3) - Box 1
1957-59 (File 4) - Box 1
1960-63 (File 5) - Box 1
1964-69 (File 6) - Box 1
1970-71 (File 7) - Box 1
1972-75 (File 8) - Box 1
1976 (File 9) - Box 2
1977 (File 10) - Box 2
1978 (File 11) - Box 2
1979 (File 12) - Box 2
1980 (File 13) - Box 2
1981-82 (File 14) - Box 2

Series 2. Personal documents, 1934-74

The collection of personal documents includes some notes and lists compiled as a student, but not dated. A 'program of practice', notes on how to play a scale, music lists by composer and form, a notebook with 'What I have studied this year' are early documents. Included are financial papers including taxation returns, bank statements and passports, a large number of invitations from Ambassadors, Premiers, Ministers, and Governors-General Casey, Cowen, Kerr and Hasluck, curriculum vitae and biographical details. Also included are awards. Llewellyn was honoured twice for his services to music – an MBE in 1968 and a CBE in 1970. Among those who sent congratulatory telegrams and letters were the Caseys, John McEwen, John Gorton, H. C. Coombs, Sir John Overall, John Hopkins, Alan Westerman, Richard Kingsland, C. L. Hewitt, Kenneth Tribe, Alan Westerman, Lew Engledow, Tom Drake Brockman, Dame Annabell Rankin, Sir Bernard Heinze and Patrick Thomas.

Notebook, 1934; early papers (File 1) - Box 3
Passports, 1955, 1974; curriculum vitae, biographical information (File 2) - Box 3
Invitations (File 3) - Box 3
Taxation, 1938-54 (File 4) - Box 3
Bank statements, 1944-65 (File 5) - Box 3
Awards (File 6) - Box 3

Series 3. Appointment diaries, 1957-81

There are brief entries only in the appointment books for 1957, 1976-78 and 1981 (File [unnumbered]) - Box 4

Series 4. Queensland State String Quartet, 1944-48

The Queensland State String Quartet was formed in August 1944 as the result of a Queensland Government decision to subsidise music for the people by public recitals as part of the Adult Education program, and to cultivate musical appreciation amongst Queensland school children. The Quartet, comprising Ernest Llewellyn, Harold Taberner, David Powell and Don Howley, played to 22,000 school children and 7,500 adults in the first year.

The Quartet toured New Zealand in 1948 at the invitation of the Wellington Chamber Music Society. Reviews of the tour, which led to the establishment of the New Zealand Federation of Chamber Music Clubs, are included in this series.

The correspondence includes a letter from the Director General of Education, L. D. Edwards (15 February 1944), proposing the establishment of the Quartet, an acceptance letter from Llewellyn (1 March 1944), and correspondence from February-July 1944 concerning his hard-fought release from the war-time RAAF. A copy of Llewellyn's resignation as leader and member of the Quartet and the Director-General's reply are also included. Other papers relate to itineraries, recordings made with Columbia Gramaphone, the Quartet's tour of New Zealand (May-June 1948), and outside engagements.

Correspondence, January-July 1944 (RAAF) (File 1) - Box 5
Correspondence, 1944-48 (File 2) - Box 5
Correspondence and itineraries, 1944-48 (File 3) - Box 5
Tour of New Zealand, 1947-48 (File 4) - Box 5
Columbia Gramaphone, 1945-48 (File 5) - Box 5
Outside engagements, 1945-48 (File 6) - Box 5

Series 5. Australian Broadcasting Commission, 1949-80

Llewellyn was involved with the ABC for much of his working life, leading the ABC String Quartet (1949-52), appearing as soloist or concertmaster in many ABC concerts and broadcasts, conducting the ABC School Orchestral concerts, as an adjudicator for the ABC Concerto and Vocal competitions and as a member of the Canberra Advisory Committee of the ABC.

Correspondence in this series relates to his work for the ABC. Correspondents include Harold Hort, John Hopkins, Allen McCristal, Joseph Post and Werner Baer. Other papers include engagement forms, concert schedules, manuscript interval talks at the 'Thursday Night Concert' series and correspondence and minutes of the Canberra Advisory Committee.

Correspondence, 1949-76 (File 1) - Box 6
Engagements, 1948-80 (File 2) - Box 6
Concert schedules, 1953-69 (File 3) - Box 6
Interval talks, 'Thursday Night Concert' series, 1967 (File 4) - Box 6
ABC Advisory Committee, 1968-74 (File 5) - Box 6

Series 6. William Kapell Memorial Scholarship, 1955-56

When Isaac Stern gave a concert in Sydney in July 1954 for the William Kapell Memorial Fund, he wanted part of the total proceeds of the concert to be used for an overseas scholarship for musicians who would make an outstanding contribution to the teaching and performance of music in Australia. Llewellyn, as Australia's leading string player, was chosen as the first recipient of the William Kapell Memorial Scholarship. At the same time he was awarded a Fulbright grant to study teaching methods at the Juilliard School of Music in New York. The year spent overseas in 1955, with professorial status, was important for Llewellyn. He based his conception of the Canberra School of Music as a centre of excellence on the Juillard School.

While overseas he visited many of the music schools in the United States. His papers include notes on his tour and list 'musical personages' he met who would supply material for seminars and lectures. Included in the correspondence are letters to Ruth's parents and the family, information from the US Information Service, Juillard School of Music, Princeton University, and from various American schools of music and higher education institutions.

Personal correspondence, 1955-56 (File 1) - Box 7
Scholarship correspondence, 1955-56 (File 2) - Box 7
Notebook, with notes on people and Universities; information on Music Schools; newspaper clippings on fund raising short-fall (File 3) - Box 7

Series 7. Chamber Music activities, 1951-75

In October-November 1951, Llewellyn toured New Zealand with the Llewellyn-Kennedy trio. The other members of the trio were John Kennedy, cello, and Scylla Kennedy, piano. Reviews of the concerts are included.

Llewellyn inaugurated and directed music camps and festivals for the National Music Camp Association and for Musica Viva at Mittagong. He also directed workshops through Musica Viva and the Musica Viva Younger Group. In this series is correspondence, 1958-64, relating to Musica Viva camps; details of Musica Viva Summer Camps for 1958 and 1960; National Music Camp correspondence, 1955-64, with Ruth Alexander the honorary secretary, and notices for musicales for the Musica Viva Younger Set, 1959-61.

Correspondence, New Zealand tour, 1951 (File 1) - Box 7
Musica Viva Summer School, Mittagong, 1958, 1960; brochures for festivals, 1962-64 (File 2) - Box 7
National Music Camp, correspondence, 1955-64; reports, State Music Camp Associations, 1975 (File 3) - Box 7

Series 8. Canberra School of Music, 1964-80

After fifteen years as Concertmaster of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Llewellyn resigned in 1964 to devote his time to full-time teaching. He intended to teach privately in Wollongong, Goulburn, Mittagong and Canberra, and to establish regional orchestras. A year later in September 1965, at the invitation of the Department of the Interior, he became founding director of the Canberra School of Music, which was located in converted buildings at Manuka. He immediately set about achieving a 'centre of excellence' in a permanent building that would be the most suitable environment for study and performance. In September 1976 the new and permanent building was opened. Llewellyn remained director for 15 years.

School of Music papers include correspondence, conditions of employment, appointments, diploma and degree requirements and course programs, papers on the establishment and opening of the new building, Advisory Council minutes, applications for the position of the new director, and Llewellyn's retirement.

Correspondence, 1965-74 (File 1-2) - Box 8

Only a small amount of the School of Music correspondence is included in this series. There are drafts of letters to Alan Foskett, Department of the Interior, concerning the Director's salary and the need for permission to attend meetings not directly concerned with his Department, a request from the Juillard School of Music for names of composers to be invited to the United States, and an invitation to be a foundation member of The Australian Society for Music Education. Correspondents include Richard Kingsland, Lauri Kennedy, Frank Callaway, David Cubbin, Douglas Hood and Rosslyn McLeod, enclosing articles on the Alexander technique.

Establishment, 1964-71 (File 3) - Box 8

Papers include a copy of a typescript letter to Richard Kingsland, Secretary, Department of the Interior on 4 December 1964, with thoughts on the requirements of a School of Music, and Llewellyn's 'Report on the establishment of a School of Music in Canberra'; newspaper advertisements seeking staff; comparisons of staffing and departments of six Schools of Music; progress report, September 1966; a Department of Education and Science paper, 'Canberra School of Music'; correspondence on the new building; minutes of the meeting of the Concert Hall-Interdepartmental Working Group, 1971.

Publicity, 1965-71 (File 4) - Box 8

Canberra Times and Australian newspaper clippings on Doug Anthony's opening of the Canberra School of Music, enrolments, advertisements for staff, appointments, faculty concerts, reviews and auditions. Staff taking up appointments with press coverage included Lauri Kennedy and William Herbert.

Conditions of employment, 1967-74 (File 5) - Box 8

Included in the papers on the proposed agreement and conditions of employment of teaching staff is a 1970 staff letter of dissatisfaction with terms of employment and salary, many drafts written by the Director on conditions of employment, and a copy of the 1969 Parliamentary Paper no. 117, Report of the inquiry into salaries of lecturers and senior lecturers in Colleges of Advanced Education.

Appointments, 1967-75 (File 6) - Box 8

Correspondence, manuscript notes and drafts of articles on staff and appointments.

Plans for new building, 1967-72 (File 7-9) - Box 9

Among the correspondence concerning the downsizing of requirements for the new School is Llewellyn's letter to the Prime Minister expressing concern that the full potential of the School would not be met, and suggesting that the School could be transferred to his Department. There is a comparison of plans of 18 August and 6 September 1971, a list of area and total physical requirements, correspondence on the design of an electronic studio (1970), and plans and photos of the Faculty of Music building, Toronto, Ontario.

Diploma and Degree courses, 1967-78 (File 10-11) - Box 9

Included in the course series are manuscript notes on the Diploma Course structure, and lecture programs for pre-year and 1st year Diploma classes; drafts and submissions for the proposed Degree of Bachelor of Arts (Music), 1975-75; typescript entitled 'Proposed course for the Degree of Bachelor of Music' and an annotated typescript 'Changes in course structure and content' (16 September 1974).

Relationship with other academic institutions (File 12-13) - Box 9, 10

Liaison with Australian National University (ANU) and Canberra College of Advanced Education (CCAE), joint music course CCAE, amalgamation with the ANU; courses at the NSW State Conservatorium of music; Llewellyn's draft comments on the outline of the proposed amendments to the Performers Diploma courses.

Overseas study, 1970-79 (File 14) - Box 10

Applications for a German Academic Exchange Service Scholarship, 1970-71 and a letter concerning American Fulbright awards, 1979.

International Society of Music Education (ISME), 1973-74 (File 15) - Box 10

Llewellyn presented a paper at the ISME Conference in Perth 5-12 August 1974 which was attended by 1500 music educators from 40 countries and 2000 student performers. In this series are invitations to groups to take part, and arrangements for the conference; minutes of meetings of the organising committee, 1973-74; lists of overseas groups taking part; memoranda to State organising committees, 1973; news releases, 1973, and newsletters, 1974. Chief correspondent is Frank Callaway, Chairman of the organising committee.

Advisory Council (File 16) - Box 10

Copies of correspondence on the composition of the Council, 1970; minutes of the 5th meeting, 27 May, 1974.

Opening, Canberra School of Music, 1976 (File 17) - Box 10

Papers on the opening of the School of Music by the Governor-General, Sir John Kerr, on 24 September 1976, include a submission by the School Faculty Association to celebrate the opening, suggestions for suitable concert presentations, official opening programs, and newspaper articles on the opening.

Administration (File 18) - Box 11

The series includes a draft and a typescript report on the School by the Director, 1970; an internal consultancy review, 1975; draft and typescript report on filling the Director's position in his absence (1970); staff listings (nd); rules of the School of Music (1980) and a list of the School technical facilities (nd).

Personal references, 1978-80 (File 19) - Box 11

Many of the references given by the Director are for students applying for a Winston Churchill Memorial Trust scholarship to study overseas. Llewellyn was involved with the music category of the Churchill award.

Position of Director, 1979 (File 20) - Box 11

Applications for the position of Director of the Canberra School of Music on the retirement of Ernest Llewellyn.

Retirement, 1980 (File 21) - Box 11

Llewellyn retired from the position of Director in June 1980, but remained teaching at the School till the end of the year. A typescript letter (not sent) to the Prime Minister expressing concern at the direction he believes the School will take in the future, and personal letters to Lady Casey (manuscript), and Richard Kingsland, are included in the correspondence. There is a copy of the speech Richard Kingsland made at Llewellyn's farewell, and a copy of the speech Llewellyn gave at the unveiling of his portrait in the School building. Also included is correspondence on retirement entitlements, newspaper clippings and a program for his farewell concert.

Newspaper clippings, 1976-85 (File 22) - Box 11

Canberra Times articles on the opening of the new School of Music, and a 1985 article on the achievements and disappointments of the School's 20 year existence.

Miscellaneous (File 23) - Box 11

This series includes a news release, program, typescript of the opening speech, acceptances and official guest list at the opening by Llewellyn of the Australian National Music Library and Sound Recording Unit, 1 February 1980; addresses by Ruth Llewellyn at the School's Silver Jubilee Concert and by Richard Kingsland at the launch of Bill Hoffman's history of the Canberra School of Music (1990).

Publications (File 24) - Box 11

Publications include School of Music handbooks, 1968, 1971-73 and concert programs, 1980, 1982.

Series 9. Canberra Symphony Orchestra, 1965-80

During Llewellyn's time as Director of the Canberra School of Music he continued to perform, taking part in many of the School's faculty concerts, leading the Canberra String Quartet, and in 1966 becoming musical director of the Canberra Symphony Orchestra. When the Minister of the Interior, Doug Anthony, opened the School of Music in 1965 he said the development of a Canberra Symphony Orchestra was a logical step. Through the Canberra Orchestral Society, an amateur body, and the Canberra School of Music, a semi-professional full symphony orchestra was established. Llewellyn retained the position of musical director and conductor for 15 years.

The papers include the undated report of a committee investigating the need to establish a permanent professional orchestral unit in the ACT, correspondence, manuscript notes on concert suggestions and proposed programs, and works played, 1965-71. Correspondents include Frank Horner and Peter Carrodus.

Canberra Orchestral Society and Canberra Symphony Orchestra, 1967-76 (File 1) - Box 12

Series 10. Committees and Board of Frensham School for Girls, 1956-81

Llewellyn was on the committee of several Arts bodies. He was Chairman of the Orchestral Review Committee, a member of the Advisory Board , Commonwealth Assistance to Australian Composers, a member of the Committee on Cultural Development in the ACT, and a member of the Training Committee of the Australian Council for the Arts.

Correspondence, agenda, minutes of meetings, and applications for assistance associated with these committees are included in this series.

Llewellyn was a member of the Board of Governors, Frensham School for Girls, Mittagong, New South Wales. There are letters, notices of meetings of the Board, brochures on the schools, an Order-of Service of Thanksgiving for Winifred West, copies of the Frensham Chronicle, and a copy of The Frensham book: 100 pictures by Cazneaux of an Australian School.

Committees: Committee on Cultural Development in the ACT: Correspondence, 1967-72; agenda for meeting, 1971, applications, 1975 (File 1-2) - Box 12
Committees: Advisory Board, Commonwealth Assistance to Australian Composers: Agenda for meeting, 1970; applications for assistance, 1970, 1972 Applications for Young Composers' Fellowships (File 3) - Box 13
Committees: Orchestral Review Committee, Education and the Arts: Correspondence, 1977; Copy of the Senate Standing Committee on Education and the Arts report on 'Employment of musicians by the Australian Broadcasting Commission', 1977 (File 4) - Box 13
Committees: Australian Council for the Arts, Training Committee Letter and minutes, 1972 (File 5) - Box 13
Board of Frensham School for Girls: Correspondence, 1956-62; brochures, Service of Thanksgiving, 1971 (File 6) - Box 14
Board of Frensham School for Girls: Minutes of meeting of the Board, 1980-81 (File 7) - Box 14
Board of Frensham School for Girls: Holt Property report, 1966-74 (File 8) - Box 14
Board of Frensham School for Girls: Frensham Chronicle, 1961, 1964, 1975, 1980 (File 9) - Box 14
Board of Frensham School for Girls: Sturt Workshops, Ure Smith, 1962 (File 10) - Box 14
Board of Frensham School for Girls: The Frensham Book, 1959 (File 11) - Box 14

Series 11. International Tchaikovsky Competition, 1974, 1978 and proposed Ottawa visit, 1982

In 1974 Llewellyn was invited to attend the fifth International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow as an 'honoured guest'. He returned four years later to the sixth competition as a member of the jury for the violin section, the first Australian to be invited to join the international judging panel for this important event.

The correspondence concerning the 1974 invitation is with the Department of the Interior and E. A. Furtzeva, Minister of Culture of the USSR, and there is a letter to Sir James Plimsoll, the Australian Ambassador in Moscow. There are several letters of thanks to those involved in the success of his visit. Also included are travel arrangements, a timetable for the visit, and Russian journals.

The only papers for the 1978 visit are copies of brief messages about travel arrangements and time of arrival.

At the time of Llewellyn's death, plans were well in hand for an exchange visit to Ottawa later that year to conduct the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra and to advise on the establishment of a Conservatorium there. Correspondents include the Cultural Exchange Section, Department of Foreign Affairs and the Australian High Commission in Ottawa.

Correspondence, 1974, travel arrangements and timetable for Tchaikovsky competition (File 1) - Box 14
Correspondence, December 1981-June 1982 concerning proposed Ottawa visit (File 2) - Box 14

Series 12. China visits, 1979-82

Llewellyn made two trips to China in May-June 1979 and in December 1980-January 1981. A third visit was planned. The 1979 visit was at the invitation of the String Department of the Shanghai Conservatory to advise on teaching methods and give master classes in Peking and Shanghai. The second visit was arranged under the Cultural Relations program.

The papers include a large number of letters and cards from students in China, background information on the visit, student assessments, diaries and reports on the visits.

Typescript on background to the first visit and a manuscript report; correspondence, 1979, from John Painter who accompanied Llewellyn, and staff and students, China. Copy of John Curro's report on his visit to China (File 1) - Box 15
Correspondence, 1979-80 (File 2) - Box 15
Correspondence, 1980-82 on second visit; notebook of 'China information'; student assessments and report on visit (File 3) - Box 15
Correspondence, 1981 (File 4) - Box 15
Correspondence, 1982 (File 5) - Box 15
Manuscript diary; Ruth Llewellyn's diary (File 6) - Box 15
Cards; article by Llewellyn 'China, music on the march'; newspaper cuttings (File 7) - Box 15

Series 13. Wollongong Conservatorium of Music, 1981-82

After his retirement from the Canberra School of Music, Llewellyn went to teach, as Artist-in-Residence, at the Wollongong Conservatorium of Music in 1981. Plans had been made for Chinese students to study with him there, as well as at his own home, 'Eastwood' near Mittagong.

In 1978 the Wollongong City Council bought the property 'Gleniffer Brae' and allocated the northern wing of the manor house to the Conservatorium. The minutes of meetings of the 'Gleniffer Brae' Developments Committee (1981) are included in the papers, together with a letter outlining plans for a Wollongong School of Music (1982). Also included is Llewellyn's manuscript timetable for 1982, and a 1982 Conservatorium handbook.

Wollongong Conservatorium, 1981-82 (File 1) - Box 16

Series 14. E. V. Llewellyn Memorial Fund, 1984-86

Llewellyn died on 12 July 1982 at the age of 67. Later that month Sir Zelman Cowen announced that the proceeds of his farewell concert would be devoted to the Ernest Llewellyn Memorial Scholarship, to help young musicians and the advancement of string playing in Australia. Members of the Executive Committee for the Fund included David Smith, Sir Richard Kingsland, John Painter, W. Hoffmanm and A. L. Moore.

There is a copy of a handwritten letter from Richard Kingsland to Sir Zelman Cowen, August 1985, bringing him up to date on fundraising for the scholarship, correspondence on the concert Isaac Stern gave in 1985 for the fund, and a copy of a transcript of letters of thanks that went out after the concert, together with newspaper clippings on the Stern concert and the Fund. A program for a memorial concert at the Canberra School of Music, 7 June 1986, includes staff reminiscences.

Correspondents include Ruth Llewellyn, Isaac Stern, Kenneth Tribe and Sir Richard Kingsland.

Correspondence, Executive Committee meeting, May 1986, a media release on the Stern concert, concert program and newspaper cuttings, 1984-86 (File 1) - Box 16

Series 15. A. E. Smith, 1938-80

Arthur Edward Smith, Australia's best known luthier, was Llewellyn's father-in-law. The correspondence in this series concerns the valuing and sale of a violin and the housing and the display of Smith's quartet of instruments. Correspondents include Isaac Stern, William Dolphin and Rembert Wurlitzer. There are articles and newspaper clippings on Smith, including the sale of a Smith violin to David Oistrakh in 1958, and Ruggiero Ricci playing a Smith copy of a Guarneri at a concert in 1957.

Correspondence, 1960-80; newspaper clippings, 1938-79 (File 1) - Box 16

Series 16. Concert reviews, 1933-86

The earliest review is for the 'grand farewell violin recital' the seventeen-year-old Llewellyn gave at the West Maitland Town Hall in 1933. It was later decided that the money raised by the concert and by public appeal should be given to those suffering in the Great Depression.

Included are reviews of the Queensland State String Quartet, the Llewellyn-Hephzibah Menuhin Beethoven recitals, the Llewellyn-Kennedy tour of New Zealand, and the special chamber music concert to honour Llewellyn. There are no reviews of Melbourne concerts, and only a few special concerts by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra are included.

Newspaper reviews, 1933-86 (File 1) - Box 16

Series 17. Newspaper cuttings, 1938-82

The newspaper articles concern the Queensland State String Quartet and its tour of New Zealand, Hephzibah Menuhin recitals, Llewellyn's resignation from the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, visiting artists, the School of Music and the opening of the permanent building.

Scrapbook of cuttings, 1946-48 (File 1) - Box 16
Newspaper cuttings, 1938-1960s (File 2) - Box 16
Newspaper cuttings, 1970-82 (File 3) - Box 16

Series 18. Programs, 1935-1982

The papers include a large collection of programs dating in the main back to the 1930s. Two earlier programs are for a memorial concert for Joseph Joachim (London 1907), and a concert of the London Symphony Orchestra (1908).

Queensland State String Quartet, 1944-48 (File [unnumbered]) - Box 17-21
ABC String Quartet, 1950-55 (File [unnumbered]) - Box 17-21
Canberra Symphony Orchestra, 1965-82 (File [unnumbered]) - Box 17-21
Canberra String Quartet, 1976-79 (File [unnumbered]) - Box 17-21
Sydney Little Symphony Orchestra, 1963-64 (File [unnumbered]) - Box 17-21
Musica Viva, 1951-67 (File [unnumbered]) - Box 17-21
Soirees Musicales, 1959-64 (File [unnumbered]) - Box 17-21
Sydney Symphony Orchestra, 1940-59 (File [unnumbered]) - Box 17-21
Sydney Symphony Orchestra, 1961-64 (File [unnumbered]) - Box 17-21
ABC Youth Concerts, 1952-64 (File [unnumbered]) - Box 17-21
ABC School Orchestral Concerts, 1956-68 (File [unnumbered]) - Box 17-21
ABC Concert Series, 1937-68 (File [unnumbered]) - Box 17-21
Miscellaneous Australian concert programs, including the Coronation concerts, 1953, the earliest program for Yehudi Menuhin's tour, 1935. And the most recent, 1982 (File [unnumbered]) - Box 17-21
Miscellaneous overseas programs (File [unnumbered]) - Box 17-21

Series 19. Catalogues and brochures, 1946-79

Llewellyn received a large number of catalogues and brochures. There are catalogues of major musical compositions and of chamber music by contemporary composers, a Boosey and Hawke's catalogue of full scores and pocket scores, Royal Art Society catalogues for the 1950s, Musica Rara catalogues, a Broude Brothers catalogue of orchestra scores and parts and a Schirmer rental library catalogue. Most of the catalogues are not dated.

There are brochures on the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, the Brooklyn Academy of Music, on Australian composers, overseas festivals including the Berkshire Festival , the University of Queensland Summer School of Music, 1946-47, music schools and forthcoming concerts.

Catalogues and brochures, 1946-79 (File [unnumbered]) - Box 22

Series 20. Journals and publications, 1911-78

The journals date from 1952-73. There are short incomplete sets of a number of journals, and many titles with just several issues. Titles include Juillard review (1954-61), ACA bulletin (American Composers Alliance, 1952-60), Musical news (1956-59), Music and dance (1959-63), Musica Viva Society of Australia Bulletin (1959-64), and Music educators journal (1971 and 1973). Two issues of the Australian journal of music education (1971 and 1973) and a few copies of many other titles are included.

Included in a large number of miscellaneous publications is Heinrich Bauer's Practical history of the violin (1911), containing '778 genuine violin labels', and 1,200 violinmakers' names and biographies . Inserted in the book is a 1965 sketch of Gregory Ivanoff who signed Llewellyn's book in 1936. There is no location for the Practical history of the violin on the Australian Bibliographic Network (ABN).

Journals, 1952-73 (File [unnumbered]) - Box 23-27
Publications, 1911-78 (File [unnumbered]) - Box 23-27

Series 21. Miscellaneous

Unusual items in the miscellaneous section concern the Penrith Bridge a notebook on the bridge (1908), plans, newspaper articles on its history (nd), progress reports and a completion report (December 1908). Other items include undated articles on starting a repertoire book, 'A new stage in the development of the piano', and 'Trends in music education in the United States'.

Penrith bridge, 1908; articles (File [unnumbered]) - Box 27

Series 22. Music

Many of the scores have markings and annotations, and it was Terry Colhoun's suggestion that the music be kept with Llewellyn's papers. Some of it is very worn from a long period of use. Violin sonatas, short pieces and studies, concertos, orchestral works and chamber music form the major part of Llewellyn's collection. His interest in chamber music is reflected in the large volume of chamber works. He was the leader of a number of distinguished ensembles including the Melbourne University String Quartet, the ABC String Quartet, the Queensland State String Quartet and the Canberra String Quartet.

The scores are arranged alphabetically, within letter, by composer.

Subseries 1. Violin sonatas

Violin and piano sonatas are by Bach, Bartok, Bax, Beethoven, Boyce, Brahms, Busoni, Collett, Corelli, Croft, Debussy, Delius, Druckman, Eccles, Enesco, Finlay, Franck, Gibbs, Handel, Haydn, Hindemith, Ireland, Ives, Jolivet, Jones, Josten, Kreisler, Leclair, Lekev, Martinu, Menasce, Milhaud, Pianelli, Piston, Pizzetti, Porter, Prokofieff, Purcell, Ravel, Reizenstein, Rubinstein, Salmon, Schubert, Schumann, Sinding, Sjogren, Slavensky, Stravinsky, Tasman, Tartini, Thomson, Veracini, Vieuxtemps, Vitali and Walton.

B (File [unnumbered]) - Box 28
C – M (File [unnumbered]) - Box 29
M – W (File [unnumbered]) - Box 30
Subseries 2. Short pieces for violin

Composers include Albeniz, Achron, Auer, Beethoven, Bloch, Bach, Bourree, Bohm, Brahms, Bax, Bizet, Bartok, Benjamin, Bazzini, Beriet, Boulanger, Chopin, Couperin, Cowell, Chavez, Copland, Cassado, Campagnoli, Carrillo, Dinicu, Drigo, Debussy, Dushkin, Dvorak, Dambrosio, Desplanes, Dushkin, Dawes, Ernst, Elgar, De Falla, Fernnandez, Francoeur, Glazunov, Granados, Goosens, Geminiani, Glinka, Gardner, Grieg, Godowsky, Alfred Hill, Miriam Hill, Hutchens, Halffter, Hauser, Hummel, Hauchard, Handel, Hubay, Jacobi, Krenrk, Kreisler, Krell, Khatchaturian, Kahn, Logan, Levant, Luening, Leclair, Liszt, Lees, Lala, Moszkowski, Massenet, Monti, Mozart, Milhaud, Mendelssohn, Massenet, Nowak, Nancarrow, Pugnani, Paganini, Piaggio, Porpora, Ponce, Paderewski, Poldini, Provost, Poliakin, Parry, Ravel, Respighi, Rimsky-Korsakov, Rimmer, Rubinstein, Rode, Schumann, Scott, Shostakovich, Schubert, Sessions, Stravinsky, Saint-Saens, Strang, Schoenberg, Suendsen, Schauss, Sarasate, Szymanowski, Scriabine, Stanley, Still, Tartini, Tchaikovsky, Twinn, Walenn,Wieniawski, Wishart, Widor and Werder.

A – G (File [unnumbered]) - Box 31
H – R (File [unnumbered]) - Box 32
S – W (File [unnumbered]) - Box 33
Subseries 3. Studies and manuals

Most of the material in this series would have been used by Llewellyn as a young violinist. The music concerns technique, bowing, scales and arpeggios, exercises, and the art of violin playing. The composers of the large number of studies include Sevcik, Raymond, Kayser, Ritter, Carrodus and Kreutzer.

Studies and manuals (File [unnumbered]) - Box 34-35
Subseries 4. Concertos

Most of the concertos are for violin with piano accompaniment. Composers include Bach, Barber, Bax, Beethoven, Bruch, Busoni, Carpenter, Casella, Coleridge-Taylor, Collins, Conus, Dvorak, Elgar, Ernst, Fricker, Glazunov, Goosens, Haydn, Alfred Hill, Hindemith, Joachim, Kabalevsky, Kreisler, Kreutzer, Lalo, Mozart, Martinu, Mendelssohn, Paganini, Rawsthorne, Rode, Rozsa, Reizenstein, Saint-Saens, Schumann, Sibelius, Spohr, Tchaikovsky, Vieuxtemps,Vivaldi, Wagner, Walton and Vaughan Williams.

B-J (File [unnumbered]) - Box 36
K-W (File [unnumbered]) - Box 37
Subseries 5. Chamber music

The chamber music is for a varying number of instruments, but trios and quartets form the major part of this large collection of scores. Haydn Quartets 1-83 are included.

Composers include Arensky, Alfano, Bach, Badings, Bartok, Bax, Brahms, Beethoven, Borodin, Bridge, Bliss, Bloch, Boyce, Britten, Caja, Cowell, Chausson, Couperin, Cui, Dahl, Debussy, Delius, Diamond, D'Indy, Dohnnanyi, Enesco, English, Faure, Finley, Fortner, Francaix, Franck, Frankel, Green, Greig, Goosens, Glazunov, Harris, Haydn, Alfred Hill, Miriam Hill, Hindemith, Honegger, Hurlstone, Ireland, Jacobi, Labroca, Lachner, Malipiero, Mendelssohn, Moeran, Mozart, Paisiello, Pascal, Piston, Pizzetti, Porter, Prokofieff, Ratner, Ravel, Reger, Reinecke, Respighi, Rieding, Riegger, Rimsky-Korsakov, Rubinstein, Schmitt, Schubert, Schumann, Sitsky, Richard Strauss, Sutherland, Szymanowski, Thomson, Tippett, Villa Labos, Wagenaar, Walton, Weber, Webern and Wolf.

A – B (File [unnumbered]) - Box 38
B – C (File [unnumbered]) - Box 39
D (File [unnumbered]) - Box 40
E – H (File [unnumbered]) - Box 41
H (File [unnumbered]) - Box 42
I – M (File [unnumbered]) - Box 43
P – R (File [unnumbered]) - Box 44
S – W (File [unnumbered]) - Box 45
Subseries 6. Orchestral works

This series includes the score of Bizet's 1st Symphony, and works by Becker, Bergsma, Brown, Debussy, Herrmann, Hill, Hoiby, Holford, Holst, Hughes, Ives, Liszt, Mahler, Miaskovsky, Moross, Passerone, Paviour, Petit, Prokofieff, Purcell, Reutter, Riegger, Rudhyar, Sitsky, Varese, Wagenaar, Ward and Williams.

B – H (File [unnumbered]) - Box 46
I – W (File [unnumbered]) - Box 47
Subseries 7. Other works

Any music not categorised above is in this series. Early piano lessons music, partitas, suites, waltzes, lieder, and music for piano and percussion are included. Composers include Bach, Brahms, Chopin, Schumann and Webern.

Other works (File [unnumbered]) - Box 48
Subseries 8. Russian music

The Russian music includes orchestral works, quartets, symphonies, concertos, violin and piano music.

Russian music (File [unnumbered]) - Box 49

Series 23. Hephzibah Menuhin, 1943-98

Pianist Hephzibah Menuhin (1920-1981), sister of violinist Yehudi Menuhin, moved to Australia in 1938 when she married Lindsay Nicholas (also a pianist). She remained in Australia until 1957 and during this time toured frequently with Llewellyn. Following her death, the Hephzibah Menuhin Memorial Scholarship was established in 1982. The Scholarship is open to pianists 18-28 years of age and is awarded biannually.

Concert tours with Hephzibah Menuhin and Llewellyn, the Hephzibah Menuhin Memorial Scholarship, and Scholarship Fund recitals and are the primary subjects of correspondence, concert programs and program notes in file 1 of this series. Newsclippings also include obituaries of Lindsay Nicholas and Marutha Menuhin (mother of Hephzibah and Yehudi). File 2 contains photocopies of correspondence from Hephzibah Menuhin and Lindsay Nicholas to Ernest and Ruth Llewellyn.

Correspondence, concert programs, program notes, newspaper cuttings, 1946-98 (File 1) - Box 49
Correspondence, 1943-49 (File 2) - Box 49

Class MS Acc04.238. Consignment added 2004

Comprises correspondence, notes, minutes, reports, diaries, newspaper cuttings and photographs. The largest group of papers relate to the time when Llewellyn was director of the Canberra School of Music.

Contained in 3 cartons, 1 small carton.

Class MS Acc06.145. Consignment added 2006

Comprises a miscellaneous group of papers (in no apparent order) relating to Llewellyn's life and career. There are photographs, programs, journals, correspondence, ca. 1955-2004, cuttings and a folder of papers relating to the building of the School of Music in Canberra.

Contained in 2 boxes, 1 carton.

Class MS Acc07.028. Consignment added 2007

Comprises the travel diary of Ernest and Ruth Llewellyn for 15 months spent in New York and Europe.

Contained in 1 volume.


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