A Dictionary of Music and Musicians (A.D. 1450–1880)
By Eminent Writers, English and Foreign

A reissue of the first edition of this famous dictionary, providing fascinating insights into the Victorian musical world.

George Grove (Edited by)

9781108004220, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 20 July 2009

784 pages
22.9 x 4 x 15.2 cm, 1.03 kg

This is a reissue of the first edition of George Grove's Dictionary of Music and Musicians, which has since evolved to become the largest and most authoritative work of its kind in English. The project grew in the making: the title page of Volume 1 (1879) refers to 'two volumes', but by the time Volume 4 appeared in 1889 there was also a 300-page appendix and a separate index volume. The dictionary was an international undertaking, with contributors from Paris, Leipzig, Berlin, Vienna and Boston alongside those based in Britain. It was 'intended to supply a great and long acknowledged want' arising from the increased interest in all aspects of music, which was 'rapidly becoming an essential branch of education', and to cater for the professional while being accessible to the amateur. It is a fascinating document of musical tastes and values in the late Victorian period.

Entries: Planché to Sumer is icumen in.

Subject Areas: Music reviews & criticism [AVC]