A General History of Music
From the Earliest Ages to the Present Period

Burney's most famous work, based on research during two European tours, providing valuable insight into musical tastes of the time.

Charles Burney (Author)

9781108016414, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 31 October 2010

670 pages
29.7 x 21 x 3.4 cm, 1.58 kg

Charles Burney (1726–1814), was the foremost music historian of his day. The General History, his most famous work, was published in four volumes between 1776 and 1789 and is still of great value today. Burney wanted to write something which would appeal to and inform the musician and the general reader. Research for the History was undertaken during two European tours, in 1770 and 1772, consulting original sources and meeting the great musicians of the time. The resultant work is engaging and elegantly written, offering the reader a fascinating view not only of Burney's own musical preferences and enthusiasms, but also a reflection of contemporary fashionable taste. All four volumes contain generous musical examples, quotations from original sources and an index. The third volume, published 1789, considers European music to the end of the seventeenth century and English church music from the death of Purcell to Burney's time.

Essay on musical criticism
1. The progress of music in England during the time of King Henry VIII continued, and concluded
2. Of the state of music in Italy during the sixteenth century
3. Of the progress of music in Germany during the sixteenth century
4. Of the state of music in France during the sixteenth century
5. Of the progress of music in Spain during the sixteenth century
6. Concerning the music of the Netherlands, during the sixteenth century
7. Of the progress of music in England from the death of Queen Elizabeth, till the end of the seventeenth century
8. Of the music of Italy in the church and chamber during the seventeenth century
9. Progress of the violin in Italy from the sixteenth century to the present time
10. Of the progress of music in Germany during the seventeenth century
11. The state of music in France during the seventeenth century
12. Progress of church music in England from the death of Purcell to the present time
Index.

Subject Areas: Music [AV]