Television chef Richard Till and Hocken Collections librarian
Sharon Dell sort through the dozen boxes of material
collected by Mr Till's father, the late musician Maurice
Till, which were donated to the library yesterday.
Mr Till said his father's collection included the programme
for every musical event he attended, as well as his diaries,
records of performances and live and recorded correspondence
with other artists.
"My late father left behind extensive records of his career
and the New Zealand music scene. Much of his career was spent
with an association to the Canterbury and Otago universities
so there is a great deal of music department business in his
records," Mr Till said.
Prof John Drummond, of the University of Otago's music
department, said Maurice Till was a leader in the New Zealand
music scene for more than 50 years. He was a piano professor
at the University of Otago and played a leading role in
Dunedin's musical activities, Prof Drummond said.
"A tireless giver of concerts the length and breadth of the
country, he was a unique force for spreading classical music
to people in settlements large and small.
"His detailed and matchless record of a long and vital
concert career offers a resource for researchers in many
fields," Prof Drummond said.
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