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More than two centuries after his lifetime, J. S. Bach's work continues to set musical standards. Noted Bach scholar Christoph Wolff offers new perspectives on the composer's life and remarkable career.
"This edition contains seventeen recently discovered ricercars from the Bourdeney Codex, a compendium in score of mid- and late-sixteenth-century polyphony. Although all but one of the ricercars are anonymous in Bourdeney, four of them are attributed to "Giaches" in a concordant source. The editor proposes that fourteen of the pieces are works of the Ferrarese organist Giaches Brumel, that these ricercars are among the most significant instrumental works surviving from the mid-sixteenth century, and that they mark the beginning of a distinctive school of abstract instrumental music culminating in the Fantasie and Capricci of Frescobaldi." --
When it was originally published in 1967, this study of J.S. Bach was the first important work on the composer in nearly a generation. The many discoveries about Bach’s life and music that occurred in the postwar years created the need for a new interpretative study incorporating this research and this was the only book which incorporated the vast amount of material uncovered since 1950, the bicentennial of Bach’s death. The volume begins with a brief biography and is followed by an analysis of each major type of composition: vocal, organ, keyboard and instrumental music. In each section the author examines thoroughly many Bach compositions and evaluates them in relation to the rest of the composer’s work, as well as in relation to the music of his contemporaries. More than 70 music examples enable the reader to understand how Bach worked, the manner in which his genius developed and grew, and to see outstanding excerpts from his music in various stages of completion. An interesting aspect of research methods is revealed through an explanation of the detective work which has been done regarding handwriting, paper and watermarks in the original sources.
This 1995 volume presents twelve essays by internationally distinguished Bach scholars, covering a broad range of issues in this field.
The book provides a historical survey of the wind band’s music and denotes how historical and cultural developments have influenced it over the course of time. Although the modern wind band developed first in the 19th century, it has its roots in the wind music of ancient times, and music survives that has been composed since the Middle Ages. Therefore, this book covers the music from that time to the present, including the dance music of the Renaissance, the Harmoniemusik of the Classical Period, and the nationalistic music of the Romantic Period, as well as the major wind band repertoire developed after 1900.
Caritas relates the 'true', yet largely undocumented story of Christine Carpenter, a 14th-century anchoress who moves towards insanity as her desire for a divine revelation continues to be unfulfilled after a period of three years locked in her cell. Although physically isolated, she is aware of the worldly life and love that she has abandoned. The very essence of the drama is the dogmatic refusal of her Bishop to release her from her vows. Set against the backcloth of the Peasants' Uprising (1381), the libretto/play juxtaposes sacred and secular worlds, the relative power and servitude of rulers and serfs, and the terrifying ordeal of Christine who is caught between the inflexibility of the established church and her personal religious expectations. Such a narrative was to offer rich opportunities for musical characterization and evocation of the historical context of the action, as well as substantial challenges in pacing and integrating the sequence of dramatic 'snap-shots' that culminate in a scene of total despair. The colourful juxtaposition of secular life and that of a recluse in Act One culminates in a Second Act finale of immense dramatic power in which Saxton's vocal and instrumental writing reaches new heights - a landmark both in his output and in late 20th century opera. Caritas - first performed in 1991 - occupies an important position in Robert Saxton's output and, as Thomas argues, in British opera during the closing decades of the 20th century. Thomas provides a detailed contextual setting in which to evaluate Caritas, as well as presenting an analytical commentary on the structure, musical language, instrumentation, staging and production of the opera. Thomas concludes with a reflection on the reception of Caritas as well as looking forward to Saxton's later and future works. A CD of the first performance is included.
Examining the roots of the classical fugue and the early history of non-canonic fugal writing, Paul Walker's Fugue in the Sixteenth Century explores the three principal fugal genres of the period: motet, ricercar, and canonza. The volume treats each genre in turn, tracing the fugue's development throughout the century and highlighting important moments and trends along the way. Taking a two-tiered approach, Walker, on one level, examines fugue from the perspective of contemporary musicians, and on another level, takes into account fugue's later history and the elements that came to play a significant role in its formation. Walker is the first scholar to successfully tie together the various strands of the "pre-Bach fugue" thanks to the growing availability of editions of the repertories involved. He also takes account of recent work elucidating the change in compositional approach around 1500 from a basis in cantus firmus and canon to one favoring non-canonical, fugal imitation. Featuring well-chosen musical examples to illustrate the compositional developments of the sixteenth century, Fugue in the Sixteenth Century is a definitive study for both specialist musicologists and organists and harpsichordists alike.
This is the first comprehensive overview of instrumental chamber music from the 16th century to the present. There are comparisons of different genres, composers, and periods. Situations for chamber music at different moments in history are brought into a continuum, and all aspects of chamber music are placed into perspective. A History of the Idea of Chamber Music is chronologically organized at the most general level. Beyond that, national schools figure prominently, as well as genres and personalities. Throughout this book the composition of chamber music, the performance of chamber music, and the social, economic, political, and aesthetic conditions for chamber music have been considered per se and as they interact. (From the Introduction)
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