Overview

The Oxford History of English Music, Volume 2 takes the story of English Music from c.1715 to the present day. Apart from discussing the music of the principal composers, it focuses to a certain extent on the work of lesser musicians, and includes developments in light and popular music as well as in serious genres. After seven chapters in which the main events are considered chronologically, a further chapter deals specifically with folk music and popular music of all periods, and a final chapter covers social issues not otherwise handled in detail. There are over a hundred musical examples, illustrating all chapters except the last, and all based on original sources. Volumes 1 and 2 together offer a major survey of English musical history by a single author. British music outside England is not considered except where it is of direct relevance to the history of music in England; it thus differs in emphasis from most other works of the kind since Ernest Walker's History of Music in England, last revised in 1952 by Sir Jack Westrup (OUP).

Full Product Details

9780198162889

Table of Contents

Reviews

`Caldwell has presented a valuable overview of a complex and difficult subject that is not to be taken too lightly.' Music Teachers Online Journal `Caldwell's authority and erudite manner captivate the reader ... his analysis of the complexities of theatrical music in the 18th century, in particular the demise of opera seria, and the rise of the ballad opera is handled with a convincing authority.' Music Teachers Online Journal `Caldwell has done an impossible job exceedlingly well. His book is beautifully produced.' Robert Ponsonby, BBC Music Magazine `This is a narrative in which compositional genres, and in the later stages, composers themselves, are introduced, chronologically and comprehensively ... there is so much to interest and provoke in these pages that even readers who might boldly claim to have read more on this-or-that aspect of the subject than Caldwell himself must concede that the task has been impressively accomplished ... Comprehensive introductions can do no other, and this one is as stimulating and substantial as the best of its kind.' Arnold Whittall, Musical Times, Winter 1999 `This title completes Caldwell's stunning achievement: a two volume treatment of English music... this volume surveys music from Handel to 1997 in seven brilliant detailed chapters. Throughout Caldwell's prose is elegant and pointed, his command of primary and secondary literatures is astonishing, his judgments enthusiastic and candid.' Choice May 2000 `It is difficult for an author of what is likely to be a standard work to balance objectivity with the need to convince the reader that he is writing from experience of the music. Caldwell does this very well. ... it is an amazing achievement and it is difficult to imagine anyone else being more successful.' Early Music Review, 58, March 2000

it would be hard to imagine a musical historian better informed or more elegantly accessible than Caldwell Robert Ponsonby, BBC Music Magazine Caldwell's breadth of vision and his comprehensive view of the sweep of history is one of the cardinal virtues of this book. Plainsong and Medieval Music Caldwell's mastery of minute detail, even at its most intransigent, is convincing and the results highly readable. Plainsong and Medieval Music

`Caldwell has presented a valuable overview of a complex and difficult subject that is not to be taken too lightly.' Music Teachers Online Journal `Caldwell's authority and erudite manner captivate the reader ... his analysis of the complexities of theatrical music in the 18th century, in particular the demise of opera seria, and the rise of the ballad opera is handled with a convincing authority.' Music Teachers Online Journal `Caldwell has done an impossible job exceedlingly well. His book is beautifully produced.' Robert Ponsonby, BBC Music Magazine `This is a narrative in which compositional genres, and in the later stages, composers themselves, are introduced, chronologically and comprehensively ... there is so much to interest and provoke in these pages that even readers who might boldly claim to have read more on this-or-that aspect of the subject than Caldwell himself must concede that the task has been impressively accomplished ... Comprehensive introductions can do no other, and this one is as stimulating and substantial as the best of its kind.' Arnold Whittall, Musical Times, Winter 1999 `This title completes Caldwell's stunning achievement: a two volume treatment of English music... this volume surveys music from Handel to 1997 in seven brilliant detailed chapters. Throughout Caldwell's prose is elegant and pointed, his command of primary and secondary literatures is astonishing, his judgments enthusiastic and candid.' Choice May 2000 `It is difficult for an author of what is likely to be a standard work to balance objectivity with the need to convince the reader that he is writing from experience of the music. Caldwell does this very well. ... it is an amazing achievement and it is difficult to imagine anyone else being more successful.' Early Music Review, 58, March 2000

Author Information

Co-editor: Plainsong and Medieval Music (1992-6) General Editor: Musica da Camera; Corpus of Early Keyboard Music; Early English Church Music. Series Editor: Outstanding Theses on Music from British Universities (Garland Publishing).

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available