Traversing London's musical culture, this book boldly illuminates the emergence of Edwardian London as a beacon of musical innovation. The dawning of a new century saw London emerge as a hub in a fast-developing global music industry, mirroring Britain's pivotal position between the continent, the Americas and the British Empire. It was a period of expansion, experiment and entrepreneurial energy. Rather than conservative and inward-looking, London was invigorated by new ideas, from pioneering musical comedy and revue to the modernist departures of Debussy and Stravinsky. Meanwhile, Elgar, Holst, Vaughan Williams, and a host of ambitious younger composers sought to reposition British music in a rapidly evolving soundscape. Music was central to society at every level. Just as opulent theatres proliferated in the West End, concert life was revitalised by new symphony orchestras, by the Queen's Hall promenade concerts, and by Sunday concerts at the vast Albert Hall. Through innumerable band and gramophone concerts in the parks, music from Wagner to Irving Berlin became available as never before.
The book envisions a burgeoning urban culture through a series of snapshots - daily musical life in all its messy diversity. While tackling themes of cosmopolitanism and nationalism, high and low brows, centres and peripheries, it evokes contemporary voices and characterful individuals to illuminate the period. Challenging issues include the barriers faced by women and people of colour, and attitudes inhibiting the new generation of British composers - not to mention embedded imperialist ideologies reflecting London's precarious position at the centre of Empire.
Engagingly written, Simon McVeigh's groundbreaking book reveals the exhilarating transformation of music in Edwardian London, which laid the foundations for the century to come.
By:
Simon McVeigh
Imprint: The Boydell Press
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions:
Height: 234mm,
Width: 156mm,
Weight: 1g
ISBN: 9781837651603
ISBN 10: 1837651604
Series: Music in Britain, 1600-2000
Pages: 344
Publication Date: 21 May 2024
Audience:
Professional and scholarly
,
Undergraduate
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
Illustrations Preface 1 Edwardian Soundscapes London in the world: an international national culture Music everywhere: expansion and social change Challenges and debates Looking forward 2 Mapping a Musical City: Place (and Class) Urban landscapes From Westminster Abbey to the West End Concertland Theatreland Looking East: the City of London Looking West: towards Knightsbridge Off-centre: Palaces and Mohawks En plein air 3 Mapping a Musical City: Time (and Taste) Looking back and looking forward: the 1897-98 season New directions: the 1902-03 season Expansion and new horizons: the 1907-08 season Interlude: Fry, Diaghilev, Beecham Modernity and modernism: the 1912-13 season 4 London as Musical Hub: Europe, America, Empire Free Trade Two traditions New directions in performance An internationalistic outlook towards composers The new Austro-German music France Russia Northern Europe USA 5 The British Question A national musical culture Looking towards the continent Looking back to the future A special case? Conclusion: a London music? 6 Britain and 'Others' Song, music hall, theatre Royal pomp and imperial celebration Into the concert hall Others 7 Hidden Voices Power and money Musical mediators The music industry: entrepreneurs and middle(wo)men Patrons and financers 8 From Battersea to Bermondsey: Suburban Music and Local Politics Life in the suburbs Music hall Theatres and opera Concerts and chamber music People's music Municipal concerts and funding 9 London's Music: An Overview The status of music An international perspective Modern structures Crosscurrents Creative London and British music Bibliography Index
SIMON McVEIGH is Emeritus Professor of Music, Goldsmiths, University of London and a Past President of the Royal Musical Association.
