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Books > Music > Western music, periods & styles > General
Coronations are the grandest of all state occasions. This is the
first comprehensive in-depth study of the music that was performed
at British coronations from 1603 to the present, encompassing the
sixteen coronations that have taken place in Westminster Abbey and
the last two Scottish coronations. Range describes how music played
a crucial role at the coronations and how the practical
requirements of the ceremonial proceedings affected its structure
and performance. The programme of music at each coronation is
reconstructed, accompanied by a wealth of transcriptions of newly
discovered primary source material, revealing findings that lead to
fresh conclusions about performance practices. The coronation
ceremonies are placed in their historical context, including the
political background and the concept of invented traditions. The
study is an invaluable resource not only for musicologists and
historians, but also for performers, providing a fascinating
insight into the greatest of all Royal events.
Brings together contributions from across a wide array of
musicological topics and subdisciplines, connecting different
approaches to applied musicology and collecting the explosion in
work over the past decade. Addresses questions of defining applied
musicology as a field. Provides a go-to reference for students and
scholars working in musicology and seeking applications beyond
traditional academic paths.
Classical music can be a dangerous pastime... What with love
affairs, their conductor dropping dead, a stolen cello and no
money, Stockwell Park Orchestra is having a fraught season. After
Mrs Ford-Hughes is squashed and injured by a dying guest conductor
mid-concert, she and her husband withdraw their generous financial
backing, leaving the orchestra broke and unsure of its future.
Cellist Erin suggests a recovery plan, but since it involves their
unreliable leader, Fenella, playing a priceless Stradivari cello
which then goes missing, it's not a fool-proof one. Joshua, the
regular conductor, can't decide which affair to commit to, while
manager David's nervous tic returns at every doom-laden report from
the orchestra's treasurer. There is one way to survive, but is
letting a tone-deaf diva sing Strauss too high a price to pay? And
will Stockwell Park Orchestra live to play another season? What
people are saying about Life, Death and Cellos: "I was charmed... a
very enjoyable read." Marian Keyes "Life, Death and Cellos is a
witty and irreverent musical romp, full of characters I'd love to
go for a pint with. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the
Stockwell Park Orchestra and can't wait for the next book in the
series." Claire King, author of The Night Rainbow "Life, Death and
Cellos is that rare thing - a funny music book. Rogers knows the
world intimately, and portrays it with warmth, accuracy and a
poetic turn of phrase. Sharp, witty and richly entertaining." Lev
Parikian, author of Why Do Birds Suddenly Disappear? "With its
retro humour bordering on farce, this novel offers an escape into
the turbulent (and bonkers) world of the orchestra." Isabel
Costello, author of Paris Mon Amour "Dodgy post-rehearsal curries,
friendly insults between musicians, sacrosanct coffee-and-biscuit
breaks, tedious committee meetings: welcome to the world of the
amateur orchestra. Throw in a stolen Stradivarius, an unexpected
fatality and the odd illicit affair and you have Life, Death and
Cellos, the first in a new series by Isabel Rogers." Rebecca
Franks, BBC Music Magazine "...a very funny tale of musical
shenanigans set in the febrile atmosphere of the Stockwell Park
Orchestra" Ian Critchley
Oxford's highly successful listener's guides--The Symphony, The
Concerto, and Choral Masterworks--have been widely praised for
their blend of captivating biography, crystal clear musical
analysis, and delightful humor. Now James Keller follows these
greatly admired volumes with Chamber Music. Approaching the
tradition of chamber music with knowledge and passion, Keller here
serves as the often-opinionated but always genial guide to 192
essential works by 56 composers, providing illuminating essays on
what makes each piece distinctive and admirable. Keller spans the
history of this intimate genre of music, from key works of the
Baroque through the emotionally stirring "golden age" of the
Classical and Romantic composers, to modern masterpieces rich in
political, psychological, and sometimes comical overtones. For each
piece, from Bach through to contemporary figures like George Crumb
and Steve Reich, the author includes an astute musical analysis
that casual music lovers can easily appreciate yet that more
experienced listeners will find enriching. Keller shares the
colorful, often surprising stories behind the compositions while
revealing the delights of an art form once described by Goethe as
the musical equivalent of "thoughtful people conversing."
What is a sonata? Literally translated, it simply means
'instrumental piece'. It is the epitome of instrumental music, and
is certainly the oldest and most enduring form of 'pure' and
independent instrumental composition, beginning around 1600 and
lasting to the present day. Schmidt-Beste analyses key aspects of
the genre including form, scoring and its social context - who
composed, played and listened to sonatas? In giving a comprehensive
overview of all forms of music which were called 'sonatas' at some
point in musical history, this book is more about change than about
consistency - an ensemble sonata by Gabrieli appears to share
little with a Beethoven sonata, or a trio sonata by Corelli with
one of Boulez's piano sonatas, apart from the generic designation.
However, common features do emerge, and the look across the
centuries - never before addressed in a single-volume survey -
opens up new and significant perspectives.
Have you ever been carried away by a piece of classical music? The
sad song of a single violin might make us cry, but the idea of
finding out more about classical music can often be intimidating.
In this funny, evocative, personal book, Gareth takes us on a
journey of musical discovery that explains and entertains in equal
measure. Over the course of three series of the Bafta award-winning
The Choir, Gareth has unearthed a passion for classical music in
schoolchildren, reluctant teenage boys, and even a whole town. With
his infectious enthusiasm and gift for explanation, Gareth's very
personal narrative takes you by the hand and leads you through a
world of eccentric composers, flamboyant conductors, troubled
geniuses and all the colourful personalities that make up the story
of Classical Music. It will also provide a foundation of classical
music understanding and give the reader the tools to appreciate a
whole new world of music. So whether you want to expand your
horizons, spend time with the great composers, introduce an almost
infinite variety into your iPod playlist, or are just curious about
what you might be missing out on, Music for The People will leave
you entertained, informed and completely inspired.
(Essential Elements Band Folios). Includes: And I Love Her *
Eleanor Rigby * Get Back * A Hard Day's Night * Here, There and
Everywhere * Hey Jude * I Want to Hold Your Hand * Lady Madonna *
Ticket to Ride * Twist and Shout * Yesterday.
Following the successful volumes of Song on Record, this 1991 book
surveys all the recordings of major choral works from the
Monteverdi Vespers to Britten's War Requiem. Discussion of the
various interpretations on record is preceded, in each chapter, by
informed criticism of the work concerned, including - where
appropriate - a clarification of editions, revisions, etc. (all the
many changes in Messiah are, for instance, described in detail).
The coverage of recordings is exhaustive and its value is enhanced
by detailed discographies, with numbers of each recording. Each
contributor is an authority within his or her specialist area and,
collectively, their insights and observations make the book
invaluable to record collectors, music lovers and all with an
interest in changing tastes and styles of musical performance.
The music of Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven forms a cornerstone of the
modern repertoire, but very little is known about the context in
which these composers worked. This volume of twelve essays by
leading international scholars considers some of the musical
traditions and practices of this little-understood period of music
history. Beginning with the early decades of the eighteenth
century, the volume documents selected aspects of musical life and
style from the late Baroque period through to the early years of
the nineteenth century. The four main areas covered in this
exploration of music history are orchestral music, sacred music,
opera and keyboard music. Georg Reutter (Haydn's teacher), Antonio
Salieri (Mozart's colleague) and Woelffl (a rival of Beethoven) are
just three of the period's prominent musicians who are discussed at
length.
Graced by more than 200 illustrations, many of them seldom seen and
some never before published, this sparkling volume offers vivid
portraits of the men and women who created country music, the
artists whose lives and songs formed the rich tradition from which
so many others have drawn inspiration. Included here are not only
such major figures as Jimmie Rodgers, The Carter Family, Fiddlin'
John Carson, Charlie Poole, and Gene Autry, who put country music
on America's cultural map, but many fascinating lesser-known
figures as well, such as Carson Robison, Otto Gray, Chris
Bouchillon, Emry Arthur and dozens more, many of whose stories are
told here for the first time. To map some of the winding,
untraveled roads that connect today's music to its ancestors, Tony
Russell draws upon new research and rare source material, such as
contemporary newspaper reports and magazine articles, internet
genealogy sites, and his own interviews with the musicians or their
families. The result is a lively mix of colorful tales and
anecdotes, priceless contemporary accounts of performances,
illuminating social and historical context, and well-grounded
critical judgment. The illustrations include artist photographs,
record labels, song sheets, newspaper clippings, cartoons, and
magazine covers, recreating the look and feel of the entire culture
of country music. Each essay includes as well a playlist of
recommended and currently available recordings for each artist.
Finally, the paperback edition now features an extensive index.
A fantastic resource for Leonard Bernstein's rich theatre songs,
from On the Town, Peter Pan, Wonderful Town, Candide, West Side
Story, Mass, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, and other shows. Includes
several songs cut from shows, songs never before published, and
also new solo editions of some songs that have never before been
available as stand-alone numbers. The songs have been newly
engraved and edited, largely presented in authentic vocal score
format (rather than piano/vocal sheet music arrangements). The song
lists are not the same for High Voice and Low Voice editions; some
songs are transposed; others are uniquely in only one volume.
Have you ever been carried away by a piece of classical music? In
this funny, evocative, personal book, previously published as
'Music for the People: The Pleasures and Pitfalls of Classical
Music', Gareth takes us on a journey of musical discovery that
explains and entertains in equal measure. Have you ever been
carried away by a piece of classical music? The sad song of a
single violin might make us cry, but the idea of finding out more
about classical music can often be intimidating. There are musical
terms we don't recognise, dead composers we can't connect with, and
a feeling that we were never given the right tools to appreciate,
understand, and most importantly, enjoy classical music. So who
better to cut through the misconceptions and the jargon than the
star of BBC2's Bafta award-winning series The Choir, Gareth Malone.
Over the course of three series, Gareth has unearthed a passion for
classical music in schoolchildren, reluctant teenage boys, and even
a whole town. With his infectious enthusiasm and gift for
explanation, Gareth's very personal narrative will provide a
foundation of classical music understanding and give the reader the
tools to appreciate a whole new world of music - from Bach to
Beethoven and beyond. So whether you want to learn more about the
great composers, introduce an almost infinite variety into your
iPod playlist, or are just curious about what you might be missing
out on, Gareth Malone's Guide to Classical Music will leave you
entertained, informed and completely inspired.
This book contains the first complete translation in English of E. T. A. Hoffmann’s major musical writings, complementing the well-known Tales. It offers, therefore, a long-awaited opportunity to assess the thought and influence of one of the most famous of all writers on music and the musical links with his fiction. Containing the first complete appearance in English of Kreisleriana, it reveals a masterpiece of imaginative writing whose title is familiar to musicians (from Robert Schumann’s piano cycle) and whose profound humour and irony can now be fully appreciated. This volume offers translations aiming at the greatest fidelity to Hoffmann, as well as musical accuracy in the reviews. David Charlton’s three introductory essays provide extensive information on the background to Romantic music criticism; on the origins and internal structure of Kreisleriana; and on Hoffmann and opera. A concluding essay by the late Friedrich Schnapp lists Hoffmann’s planned reviews and those mistakenly attributed to him.
What makes a classical song a song? In a wide-ranging 2004
discussion, covering such contrasting composers as Brahms and
Berberian, Schubert and Kurtag, Jonathan Dunsby considers the
nature of vocality in songs of the nineteenth and twentieth
centuries. The essence and scope of poetic and literary meaning in
the Lied tradition is subjected to close scrutiny against the
backdrop of 'new musicological' thinking and music-theoretical
orthodoxies. The reader is thus offered the best insights available
within an evidence-based approach to musical discourse. Schoenberg
figures conspicuously as both songsmith and theorist, and some
easily comprehensible Schenkerian approaches are used to convey
ideas of musical time and expressive focus. In this work of
scholarship and theoretical depth, Professor Dunsby's highly
original approach and engaging style will ensure its appeal to all
practising musicians and students of Romantic and modern music.
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