The Oxford History of English Music
2 total works
The Oxford History of English Music: Volume 1: From the Beginnings to c.1715
by John Caldwell
Published 28 November 1991
The Oxford History of English Music will survey in two volumes the whole field of music by English composers. This first volume begins with the settlement of the North German peoples and the cultivation of church music following the mission of St Augustine in 597. Relations between France and England form the background to the account of medieval music after the Norman Conquest, and the growth of a distinct national style is then traced from the early
fifteenth century, through the early Tudor period and that of the Reformation, to the outstanding achievements of Elizabethan and Stuart England. The arrival of Handel is related to the period of experimentation following Purcell's death in 1695 and the volume concludes with his decision to remain and the end of
the Stuart monarchy.
The contribution of such outstanding figures as Dunstable, Taverner, Byrd, and Purcell is placed in the context of the music of their contemporaries, while the social, religious, and historical background to their music is given full attention. There are over two hundred musical examples and sixteen pages of plates.
fifteenth century, through the early Tudor period and that of the Reformation, to the outstanding achievements of Elizabethan and Stuart England. The arrival of Handel is related to the period of experimentation following Purcell's death in 1695 and the volume concludes with his decision to remain and the end of
the Stuart monarchy.
The contribution of such outstanding figures as Dunstable, Taverner, Byrd, and Purcell is placed in the context of the music of their contemporaries, while the social, religious, and historical background to their music is given full attention. There are over two hundred musical examples and sixteen pages of plates.
The Oxford History of English Music: Volume 2: c.1715 to the Present Day
by John Caldwell
Published 9 September 1999
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).
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).