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Lectures on Musical Life – William Sterndale Bennett
Author(s): William Sternda Bennett (Author), Nicholas Temperley (Author), Yunchung Yang (Author)
- Publisher: Boydell Press
- Publication Date: 23 Mar. 2006
- Language: English
- Print length: 192 pages
- ISBN-10: 1843832720
- ISBN-13: 9781843832720
Book Description
Lectures by leading Victorian conductor and composer reveal much about musical life at the time. An annotated critical edition of twelve lectures by William Sterndale Bennett [1816-75], the foremost English musician of the mid-Victorian period, principal of the Royal Academy, and conductor of the Philharmonic Society. Delivered at the London Institution and Cambridge University between 1858 and 1871, they are valuable both as representative of the Victorian understanding of musical history, and for Bennett’s astute comments on the state of music andmusical life at the time. They include admonishments to the British government for failing to offer adequate financial support to the art; interesting and often surprising views on many contemporary composers; and discourses on his own experiences as a professional musician. The lectures are presented with annotations which identify the persons, institutions and compositions referred to in the text. An extensive introduction sets the lectures in context and reflects on their significance to English musical history and to Bennett’s personal career. NICHOLAS TEMPERLEY is Professor of Music Emeritus at the University of Illinois.
Editorial Reviews
Review
A fine edition…valuable as an indication of the current state of musical knowledge in the Victorian era, and for [Bennett’s] comments on the contemporary musical scene. — Andrew Thomson, MUSICAL TIMES
A masterful achievement…deserves to be read…as a model of editorial method…greatly enriching our understanding of British musical culture. —
MUSIC & LETTERS
