Nicholas Temperley documents the lives, careers, and music of three British composers who emigrated from England in mid-career and became leaders in the musical life of the early United States. William Selby of London and Boston (1738-98), Rayner Taylor of London and Philadelphia (1745-1825), and George K. Jackson of London, New York, and Boston (1757-1822) were among the first trained professional composers to make their home in America and to pioneer the building of an art music tradition in the New World akin to the esteemed European classical music. Why, in middle age, would they emigrate and start over in uncertain and unfavorable conditions? How did the new environment affect them personally and musically? Temperley compares their lives, careers, and compositional styles in the two countries and reflects on American musical nationalism and the changing emphasis in American musical historiography.
- ISBN10 0252075951
- ISBN13 9780252075957
- Publish Date 8 August 2008 (first published 24 September 2003)
- Publish Status Active
- Publish Country US
- Imprint University of Illinois Press
- Format Paperback
- Pages 256
- Language English