The standard of congregational singing in mid-eighteenth-century
parish churches was often in a parlous state, a situation viewed
with alarm by many influential clergy and social commentators. In
this authoritative study, Maggie Kilbey explores attempts to
improve parochial music-making over the following century and the
factors that played a part in their success or failure. Using
Hertfordshire as a basis, original research by this respected
author and historian uses a wide range of documentary evidence to
reveal a complicated picture of influence and interaction between
the gentry, clergymen and their parishioners. Her innovative
approach to the social history of church music-making sheds light
on interactions between militia and church bands, singers,
organists, the role of charity school children and the use of
barrel organs. Because of its proximity to London, Hertfordshire
was particularly attractive to elites with an interest in the
capital, and fell under the influence of metropolitan music-making
more readily than less accessible parts of England. The involvement
of both fashion-conscious and socially aware gentry was mirrored by
those further down the social scale, and formed part of a complex
pattern of support for church music-making. Unsurprisingly, this
support was not universal, and often short-lived once initial
enthusiasm or funding ran out. Consequently, although many attempts
were made to 'improve' music-making in parish churches, sooner or
later these were considered to be failures, swiftly forgotten - and
then tried again. To make matters worse, church rate disputes
hampered efforts to improve or sustain parish music-making during
the nineteenth century, resulting in financial hardship for
organists and other church musicians. Yet this was followed by an
1850s 'singing craze' which led to the formation of many church
choirs, alterations to the church fabric, and installation of
organs. This investigation into patterns of parochial music-making
will appeal to both those with an interest in the history of
music-making, and also those with a general interest in the social
history of Hertfordshire.
General
Is the information for this product incomplete, wrong or inappropriate?
Let us know about it.
Does this product have an incorrect or missing image?
Send us a new image.
Is this product missing categories?
Add more categories.
Review This Product
No reviews yet - be the first to create one!
Welcome to Loot.co.za!
Sign in / Register |Wishlists & Gift Vouchers |Help | Advanced search
(1)
(7)
