Leaves from the Journals of Sir George Smart

Edited and first published in 1907, these are perceptive journal entries from a central figure in nineteenth-century British musical life.

George Smart (Author), H. Bertram Cox (Edited by), C. L. E. Cox (Edited by)

9781108068598, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 17 July 2014

378 pages, 1 b/w illus. 1 music example
22.9 x 15.2 x 2.1 cm, 0.55 kg

Sir George Smart (1776–1867), conductor, composer, singing teacher and organist, was a central figure in nineteenth-century British musical life. He is best remembered as one of the founder members of the Philharmonic Society, for which he often conducted. Notably, in 1826 he presided over the first performance in England of Beethoven's ninth symphony. Smart was also much in demand as a conductor at the major English musical festivals and on royal occasions. These edited journal entries, first published in 1907, provide insightful accounts of concert life at the time, and they are particularly valuable for Smart's detailed observations - gathered during his extensive tour of 1825 - on musical practice in Europe, including conducting methods and performing speeds. The journal extracts end in 1845 with an account of Smart's visit to Bonn for the unveiling of Beethoven's statue.

Preface
1. 1776–1802
2. 1802
3. 1804–16
4. 1821–4
5. 1825
6. 1825, Munich
7. 1825, Vienna
8. Prague
9. 1825, Dresden and Weber
10. 1825, Leipzic
11. 1825, Berlin
12. 1825, from Berlin to Hanover and Cassel
13. 1825, from Cassel to England
14. 1826, Weber's visit to London and his death
15. 1827–35
16. 1836–44
17. 1845, the unveiling of Beethoven's statue at Bonn
Index.

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