Hilda Collens relays messages to Hubert Harry, former pupil of the Northern School of Music, from Clifford Curzon and that she had met his two adopted sons. She has heard the Dinu Lipatti recording of Grieg's concerto and thought it was beautiful and is saddened by his death. She updates him on the Northern School of Music. She relays that Vincent Billington leaves the army soon and updates Hubert on his news.

HH/1/59

Part of the #NSM2020 project "A 20/20 Legacy: the centenary of the Northern School of Music" supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Hilda Collens is pleased to get Hubert Harry's card and to hear of his success in Paris. She relays that Dr. Walter Carroll died recently, "it was a happy passing... He has left a great deal behind him which will never die, perhaps especially his children's pieces." Walter was a successful composer of early children's music to help them learn the piano. He wrote "Scenes at a Farm" which many musicians learned with, including Victoria Wood!

HH/1/58

Part of the #NSM2020 project "A 20/20 Legacy: the centenary of the Northern School of Music" supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Hilda Collens is enthusiastic about Hubert Harry's proposed tours, especially to the USA. She is dubious about taking his offer of teaching some of his students in Switzerland as she does not speak the language.

Ref: HH/1/57

Part of the #NSM2020 project "A 20/20 Legacy: the centenary of the Northern School of Music" supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

A long letter of planning and strategy. Hilda Collens wanted to go to Preston to see if the county council there would help Hubert Harry with getting concerts, as they paid for his education. She imagines that it should not be difficult except for the fact that he did not complete any national service in the army.

She suggests that he apply for Vincent Billington's position at the Royal Engineers, stating that "he can play any concerto which he likes and the conductor Major Young is an excellent musician and most particular Vincent gets leave for almost any concerts or broadcasts and is free from lunch-time nearly everyday."

She relays the new law that men outside of the UK and under the age of 35 can still be called up for army service if they have not yet served, "so the alternative seems to be to stay out of England permanently or to get into the army as a pianist."

She encourages him that he should be known throughout the world as he is "much too good to remain in Switzerland."

HH/1/54

Part of the #NSM2020 project "A 20/20 Legacy: the centenary of the Northern School of Music" supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Another gorgeous telegram from Hilda Collens at the Northern School of Music wishing former pupil Hubert Harry the best of luck as he performs again at the Royal Festival Hall.

Ref: HH/1/54

Part of the #NSM2020 project "A 20/20 Legacy: the centenary of the Northern School of Music" supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Hilda Collens says she understands that Hubert could not visit Manchester during his last visit to England. She explains her plans to meet with him in London. Fingers crossed!

Ref: HH/1/53

Part of the #NSM2020 project "A 20/20 Legacy: the centenary of the Northern School of Music" supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Hilda Collens hopes to meet with Hubert Harry when he is in England and hopes he will come and perform for the Northern School of Music. Hubert was a former pupil of Hilda, the principal of the Northern School of Music. He was giving solo piano performances for the school's programme as young as 9 years old.

Ref: HH/1/52

Part of the #NSM2020 project "A 20/20 Legacy: the centenary of the Northern School of Music" supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Hilda Collens is thrilled about Hubert's forthcoming recital and hopes to attend and to have supper with him. She recommends playing to John Barbirolli whilst he is over.

Ref: HH/1/51

Part of the #NSM2020 project "A 20/20 Legacy: the centenary of the Northern School of Music" supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Heart warming letter in which Hilda Collens asks Hubert Harry to write more, "Are you lost, stolen or strayed?"

She updates him on the Northern School of Music, proud of their production of a full scale Marriage of Figaro at the Lesser Free Trade Hall. She asks if he is not getting as many concerts as he ought due to his modesty, "you do play so beautifully that the world ought to hear you - or so I think!"

She hopes to be able to visit him again and updates him on the Carroll family. She reminisces about her old students as the Northern School of Music gets new ones, "For instance, I still miss you."

Ref: HH/1/50

Part of the #NSM2020 project "A 20/20 Legacy: the centenary of the Northern School of Music" supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Hilda Collens says she hopes to get a new radio so she can pick up Hubert Harry's broadcasts. She asks to see the "crits" (newspaper clippings/critics) of the concert he gave. She assures him she is not working too hard.

Ref: HH/1/49

Part of the #NSM2020 project "A 20/20 Legacy: the centenary of the Northern School of Music" supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Hilda Collens with many updates for former Northern School of Music pupil Hubert Harry. She is excited about his recitals in Holland and hopes he goes on to Germany. She tells Hubert about Vincent Billington, a pianist and in an army orchestra. She says he is in Germany in the Spring and wonders if they will meet.

Ref: HH/1/48

Part of the #NSM2020 project "A 20/20 Legacy: the centenary of the Northern School of Music" supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Looks like Hubert Harry had another performance broadcast on the radio - getting very popular! Hilda Collens is apologetic that she could not listen to his radio broadcast as her wireless was being repaired.

Ref: HH/1/47

Part of the #NSM2020 project "A 20/20 Legacy: the centenary of the Northern School of Music" supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Hilda Collens asks Hubert Harry if he has had any thoughts about playing at the Free Trade Hall in Manchester and the Wigmore Hall in London, "it is high time you took a few risks."

She is looking forward to watching the Coronation (Queen Elizabeth II) on the television at Ida Carroll's house.

Ref: HH/1/46

Part of the #NSM2020 project "A 20/20 Legacy: the centenary of the Northern School of Music" supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Hilda Collens hopes Hubert Harry managed well in Holland despite the floods and gales (sounds familiar to Manchester!).

She sends updates about her home and asks about any news regarding Madame Rachmaninoff and her housekeeper that Hubert visits.

She enthuses that it would be lovely for him to come and play for the School but should wait until he is 26 so that "the army cannot touch you then" (in order to avoid conscription).

Ref: HH/1/45

Part of the #NSM2020 project "A 20/20 Legacy: the centenary of the Northern School of Music" supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

A push to contact Ibbs and Tibbet (music management and publisher) so that Hubert Harry doesn't get forgotten about.

Ref: HH/1/44

Part of the #NSM2020 project "A 20/20 Legacy: the centenary of the Northern School of Music" supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Hilda Collens hopes Hubert Harry left the country without being stopped by the police. (Because of conscription, not because of any skulduggery.)

Ref: HH/1/43

Part of the #NSM2020 project "A 20/20 Legacy: the centenary of the Northern School of Music" supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Hilda Collens saying how much she liked seeing Hubert Harry play the evening before and hopes he returned safely with "no difficulty over army service." Conscription was still in place to 1960 and Hubert was able to navigate it by studying and then teaching in Switzerland. She enjoyed the party and reminds him that it will be hard work to progress but that she is sure he will achieve it.

Ref: HH/1/42

Part of the #NSM2020 project "A 20/20 Legacy: the centenary of the Northern School of Music" supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The most adorable thing! Northern School of Music pupils and staff sending best wishes to Hubert Harry (1927-2010, pianist, student of the Northern School of Music) as he performs at the Royal Festival.

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Part of the #NSM2020 project "A 20/20 Legacy: the centenary of the Northern School of Music" supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

A little confession from Hilda Collens (1883-1956, founder and principal of the Northern School of Music) here that she has been ill and has not written to Hubert Harry in order to not worry him. She is feeling better but, "I suppose I have been over-working and my heart decided to make its presence felt!" She reminds him that he needs to perform more and is enthusiastic about a tour through South America. She hopes to be able to visit him next year.

Ref: HH/1/40

Part of the #NSM2020 project "A 20/20 Legacy: the centenary of the Northern School of Music" supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Some encouragement from Hilda Collens (1883-1956, founder and principal of the Northern School of Music) to Hubert Harry (1927-2010, pianist, student of the Northern School of Music) that he should write more often, and take active steps to get wider known "in the concert world".

Ref: HH/1/39

Part of the #NSM2020 project "A 20/20 Legacy: the centenary of the Northern School of Music" supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

A lengthy read from Hilda Collens to Hubert Harry, former pupil of the Northern School of Music. She wonders whether he should start playing in other places such as the Hague. She relays that Clifford Curzon was in Manchester playing with the Halle and wishes that Hubert would play in the reconstructed Free Trade Hall. She worries that he is not performing in enough concerts and suggests a few conductors to contact.
The Free Trade Hall in Manchester was the biggest music venue for the city but was bombed in WW2 during the Manchester Blitz of 1940. A new hall was built behind the remaining elevation on Peter's Street and opened in 1951.

Ref: HH/1/38

Part of the #NSM2020 project "A 20/20 Legacy: the centenary of the Northern School of Music" supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Hilda Collens on holiday with Walter Carroll (1869-1955, father of Ida Carroll, teacher, composer and music education professional) and Ida Carroll (1905-1995, student, secretary and then principal of the Northern School of Music).
She's checking up on her former pupil Hubert Harry.
The Carrolls went to Portpatrick for their holidays almost religiously. We have some cute seaside pics of them in the archive.

Ref: HH/1/37

Part of the #NSM2020 project "A 20/20 Legacy: the centenary of the Northern School of Music" supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Just a charming little check in between teacher and former pupil from the Northern School of Music.

Ref: HH/1/36

Part of the #NSM2020 project "A 20/20 Legacy: the centenary of the Northern School of Music" supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Hilda Collens here relaying an opinion that Hubert Harry should have won first prize at the Geneva Festival that year.

She shares a story Clifford Curzon told her about Alfred Dennis Cortot: he was playing a performance in London and the great and good were in attendance. After, a chap was heard to say outside how many wrong notes Cortot played, the reply to which was "Does it ever occur to you that many of us would sooner hear Cortot play wrong notes than hear you play right ones?"

Burn!

Ref: HH/1/35

Part of the #NSM2020 project "A 20/20 Legacy: the centenary of the Northern School of Music" supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.