Robert Cross (1899-1977)
Scores and papers 1922-2013
MSS 0189
Series 6: Biographical, correspondence, other papers 5 cm
Reminiscences of Cross
• ‘Robert George Cross 1899-1977’ [Anonymous] Computer printout, 2 p.
• Memoires of R.G. Cross / letter from R.E. Curtis. Photocopy of typescript, 4 p.
Correspondence etc.
• Reference for Robert Cross as book-keeper from Broken Hill and District Hospital, 9/9/1922
• Letter from M.V. Macghey, Principal of Adelaide Girls High School, 22/6/1954, thanking Cross for his composition ‘Tell me, where is fancy bred’
• Letter from R.M. Cross (Cross’s son) to Gordon Abbott re manuscripts by Cross, 8/9/2006 (identifies pseudonyms used by Cross as Seyon, Halcyon, Quondong, Robert Musing, and ‘RM’)
• Letter from Helen Hewitson (Cross’s daughter) 28/10/90 to Gordon Abbott (Music Librarian) with biographical details of Robert Cross
• Letter from Helen Hewitson 15/4/2013 to Denise Tobin (Music Librarian) with list of works by Cross
• Letter from Bob Cross 2/7/2000 to family containing biographical information about Lou Toppano and Toppano’s memories of Robert Cross
• Letter from Bob Cross 5/2/1989 to family re Cross’s compositions
• Two letters from Nadra Penalurick to Helen Hewitson 1989/90 re her memories of Cross and the SA Composers’ Guild
• Two letters from Jack Holland August and December 1980 including his memories as a student of Cross and enquiring about pending publication
• Two letters from Robert Emerson Curtis and his wife Ellice 1989 to Opal (Cross’s wife) and Helen re Curtis’s memories of Cross in Broken Hill during the Depression, and his presentation of a drawing to the Broken Hill City Art Gallery in honour of Robert Cross and Frederick Rost (past Director of Broken Hill Technical College)
• 1978 requests from publishers Price Milburn Music Ltd to Robert Cross for musical works to be included in the projected ‘The Dorian Carol Book’ (never published.
Robert Cross. List of works (undated photocopied typescript, 5 p.)
Australian Music Centre registration forms for works by Cross (8 sheets)
‘Robert Cross (1899-1977): a thematic catalogue of works for solo piano’ / compiled by Katrina Lashchuk. Adelaide, 2006. 38 p.
Teaching/study notes:
• notes in black folder (12 leaves)
• ‘Rules for the study of counterpoint’ (typescript, 5 leaves). Signed: R.G. Cross
• Ms notes on minor scale, written on sheet of card
Scrapbook 1925-1936 & later, containing
• newspaper clippings (examination result of Cross’ students, reviews of performances accompanied by Cross, Quartette Club, Commercial Travellers Choir etc.)
• 2 letters from Broken Hill Council July 1923 thanking Cross for his services in the musical entertainment in honour of Governor Sir Walter Davidson and Dame Margaret Davidson
• Clipped pictures and photographs of Leopold Godowsky, William G James, Mischa Levitski, Toti dal Monte, Clara Butt, Kennerley Rumford, Percy Grainger, FE Weatherly, ‘Stephen Adams’, Senia Chostiakoff (inscribed to Cross)
• Programmes. Miss Ruth Naylor, Grand Concert, [Adelaide] Town Hall may 16, 1929; Concert at Woodside Immigration Centre on 6th August, 1949, performed by new Australian Artists (Irene Pavlovs- Obolensky, Edgars Petrevics, Rudolfs Mikelsons, accompanist R.G. Cross)
• Set of Australian Music Examination Board grading papers with remarks, 1933
Programme. 40th Anniversary Concert: Frank Hutchens and Lindley Evans, Sydney Town Hall, April 22nd 1964. Inscribed ‘for my friend Bob Cross, Frank Hutchens.’
Booklet. [Freemasons] St Peters Royal Arch Chapter no. 13: fiftieth anniversary celebration of the consecration of the chapter. St Peters Masonic Temple, 15th September 1969 (Robert Cross listed as organist and member since 1942). With 2 business cards of Cross, and MS words to masonic verse by B. McInnes.
The Modern Pickwick Club papers
- 2 programmes for 75th Anniversary Dinner, Hotel Rundle, 14/8/1965 (one signed by members)
- Programme for 80th Annual Dinner, Hotel Rundle, 25/7/1970
- 2 photocopies of ‘The Pickwick Song’, transposed and harmonised by R.G. Cross 17/12/1949 “Musician in ordinary to the Club”
- 2 folders of song lyrics (typescripts)
See also Modern Pickwick Club anthology : papers and proceedings, 1912-1967 / Selected by the Chairman, the Committee and the Archives Keeper. (Adelaide, 1968). Held in Rare Books 828A M689.
