Michael Costa: England's First Conductor - The Revolution in Musical Performance in England, 1830-1880 (Hardcover, New Ed)

Among the major changes that swept through the music industry during the mid-nineteenth century, one that has received little attention is how musical performances were managed and directed. Yet this was arguably the most radical change of all: from a loose control shared between the violin-leader, musical director and maestro al cembalo to a system of tight and unified control under a professional conductor-manager. This process brought with it not only baton conducting in its modern form, but also higher standards of training and discipline, a new orchestral lay-out and a more focused rehearsal regime. The resulting rise in standards of performance was arguably the greatest achievement of English music in the otherwise rather barren mid-Victorian period. The key figure in this process was Michael Costa, who built for himself unprecedented contractual powers and used his awesome personal authority to impose reform on the three main institutions of mid-Victorian music: the opera houses, the Philharmonic and the Sacred Harmonic Society. He was a central figure in the battles between the two rival opera houses, between the Philharmonic and the New Philharmonic, and between the venerable Ancient Concerts and the mass festival events of the Sacred Harmonic Society. Costa's uniquely powerful position in the operatic, symphonic and choral world and the rapidity with which he was forgotten after his death provide a fascinating insight into the politics and changing aesthetics of the Victorian musical world.

General

Imprint:	Routledge
Country of origin:	United Kingdom
Series:	Music in Nineteenth-Century Britain
Release date:	March 2016
Authors:	John Goulden
Dimensions:	234 x 156 x 23mm (L x W x T)
Format:	Hardcover
Pages:	244
Edition:	New Ed
ISBN-13:	978-1-4724-2717-5
Categories:	Books > Arts & Architecture > Music > Composers & musicians Books > Arts & Architecture > Music > Western music, periods & styles > Romantic music (c 1830 to c 1900) Books > Arts & Architecture > Music > Musical instruments & instrumental ensembles > Orchestras Books > Music > Composers & musicians Books > Music > Musical instruments & instrumental ensembles > Orchestras Books > Music > Western music, periods & styles > Romantic music (c 1830 to c 1900)
LSN:	1-4724-2717-3
Barcode:	9781472427175

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