History of the Modern Music of Western Europe
From the First Century of the Christian Era to the Present Day

The 1848 English translation of an important German text - one of the first histories of music for the general reader.

Raphael Georg Kiesewetter (Author), Robert Müller (Translated by)

9781108065160, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 24 October 2013

358 pages, 15 music examples
21.6 x 14 x 2 cm, 0.46 kg

A high-ranking official in the Imperial War Office in Vienna, Raphael Georg Kiesewetter (1773–1850) is better known for his musicological activities. An accomplished amateur musician, he studied with Albrechtsberger, hosted private concerts of early music, and was closely involved in the affairs of Vienna's Society of the Friends of Music. His important collection of scores is now in the Austrian National Library. He also wrote a number of books and articles, including a pioneering study of Arabic music which was the first to use original sources, owing to the assistance of orientalist Joseph von Hammer-Purgstall. Originally published in German in 1834 and reissued here in its 1848 English translation, the present work is considered Kiesewetter's most significant and remains accessible to the general reader. Based on an evolutionary approach influenced by the Enlightenment, the book presents seventeen epochs which are named after their most characteristic composers.

Translator's preface
Author's dedication
Introduction
1. Epoch of Hucbald
2. Epoch of Guido
3. Epoch not distinguished by the name of any particular individual
4. Epoch of Franco
5. Epoch of Marchettus and De Muris
6. Epoch of Dufay
7. Epoch of Ockenheim
8. Epoch of Josquin
9. Epoch of Willaert
10. Epoch of Palestrina
11. Epoch of Montiverde
12. Epoch of Carissimi
13. Epoch of Scarlatti
14. Epoch of Leo and Durante
15. Epoch of Gluck
16. Epoch of Haydn and Mozart
17. Epoch of Beethoven and Rossini
Appendix of notes
Correspondence with the author
Supplement.

Subject Areas: Classical music [c 1750 to c 1830 AVGC4]