Musical Memories

An 1888 collection of reminiscences and anecdotes of the nineteenth-century musical scene and its personalities, including Mendelssohn and Sir Michael Costa.

William Spark (Author)

9781108062428, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 27 June 2013

452 pages, 1 b/w illus.
21.6 x 14 x 2.6 cm, 0.57 kg

The organist and writer William Spark (1823–97) is best remembered for his active role in the Leeds musical scene, notably his involvement in the People's Concerts and the Leeds Festival. Spark had been articled to the organist and composer Samuel Sebastian Wesley in 1840 and accompanied him when he moved to Leeds two years later. Following several posts as an organist, he worked with Henry Smart on the design of the organ for Leeds town hall in 1858, giving regular recitals on it thereafter. He wrote on a wide variety of musical topics and the present work, first published in 1888, brings together his personal reminiscences and anecdotes. The pen portraits of eminent musicians - including conductor Sir Michael Costa, composer Felix Mendelssohn and soprano Adelina Patti - offer a remarkably informed insight into the development of musical culture in the nineteenth century.

Preface
1. Sir Michael Costa
2. Sir Julius Benedict
3. Mendelssohn
4. Dr Louis Spohr
5. Meyerbeer
6. Dr Samuel Sebastian Wesley
7. Sir Henry Rowley Bishop
8. Sir W. Strendale Bennett
9. Sir John Goss
10. Michael William Balfe
11. W. Vincent Wallace
12. Sigismund Thalberg
13. George Linley
14. Grisi and Mario
15. Titiens and Giuglini
16. Sir George Alexander Macfarren and Walter Cecil Macfarren
17. Henry Smart
18. John Liphot Hatton
19. Madame Adelina Patti
20. Dr Edward John Hopkins
21. Miscellaneous
Letters on musical conductors
Scraps and anecdotes.

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