The English musical Renaissance, 1840-1940 / Edition 2

by Meirion Hughes, Robert Stradling, Peter Martin

Overview

Second edition of a book which caused huge controversy in its first printing - now completely revised and updated. Argues that research into the cultural history of music can significantly help our understanding of the evolution of English national identity. Only book of its kind to cover such a revolutionary period in British music. Looks at how music reflected the privileged elite, ignoring the vast majority of 'music lovers', and was crucial in the construction of a British national identity. The second edition features a new and expanded introduction, a new chapter on Mendelssohn's Elijah - and the complete text has also been updated and revised.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780719058301
Publisher:	Manchester University Press
Publication date:	08/09/2001
Series:	Music and Society
Edition description:	Second Edition
Pages:	336
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.40(h) x 1.30(d)

About the Author

Meirion Hughes is a freelance historian and lives in London. Robert Stradling was Professor of History at the University of Wales, Cardiff

Table of Contents

Part one: The history and politics of the Renaissance
1. Renaissance and Reformation (1840-94)
2. A troubled inheritance (1895-1914)
3. War, post-war, pre-war, more war (1914-40)
Part two: Aspects of cultural formation
4. Being beastly to the Hun
5. Crusading for national music
6. Slaying the false prophets
7. Becoming transfigured

Editorial Reviews

Rejecting in principle the argument that "Great Music" can never be heard in political terms, freelance historian Hughes and Emeritus Professor of History Stradling (U. of Wales) argue that a self- appointed "oligarchy" of judgment constructs the definitions, categorizations, and assessment of music that, at their most blatant, allow successful campaigns for a national music which support and advance a homophonic, chauvinist collectivism. They analyze this construction of an English national music, by both musicians and critics, as it interplayed with politics, class divisions, and England's international rivalries. Distributed by Palgrave. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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