The Cambridge History of Musical Performance

Leading musicians, historians and scholars come together to present an innovative and integrated history of music through performers and performance.

Colin Lawson (Edited by), Robin Stowell (Edited by)

9780521896115, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 16 February 2012

932 pages, 11 b/w illus. 1 table 59 music examples
23.5 x 16 x 4.6 cm, 1.59 kg

'It provides a glorious, grandstand view of the institutions, and the social and technological forces, that have generated decisive changes in performance.' BBC Music Magazine

The intricacies and challenges of musical performance have recently attracted the attention of writers and scholars to a greater extent than ever before. Research into the performer's experience has begun to explore such areas as practice techniques, performance anxiety and memorisation, as well as many other professional issues. Historical performance practice has been the subject of lively debate way beyond academic circles, mirroring its high profile in the recording studio and the concert hall. Reflecting the strong ongoing interest in the role of performers and performance, this History brings together research from leading scholars and historians and, importantly, features contributions from accomplished performers, whose practical experiences give the volume a unique vitality. Moving the focus away from the composers and onto the musicians responsible for bringing the music to life, this History presents a fresh, integrated and innovative perspective on performance history and practice, from the earliest times to today.

Preface Colin Lawson and Robin Stowell
Part I. Performance Through History: 1. Performance today Nicholas Kenyon
2. Political process, social structure, and musical performance in Europe since 1450 William Weber
3. The evidence Robin Stowell
4. The performer and the composer Corey Jamason
5. The teaching of performance Natasha Loges and Colin Lawson
6. Music and musical performance: histories in disjunction? David Wright
Part II. Pre-Renaissance Performance: 7. The ancient world Eleonora Rocconi
8. Performance before c.1430: an overview John Haines
9. Vocal performance before c.1430 Jeremy Summerly
10. Instrumental performance before c.1430 Stefano Mengozzi
11. Case study: Guillaume de Machaut: ballade 34, 'Quant Theseus/Ne quier veoir' John Haines
Part III. Performance in the Renaissance (c.1430–1600): 12. Performance in the Renaissance: an overview Jon Banks
13. Vocal performance in the Renaissance Timothy McGee
14. Instrumental performance in the Renaissance Keith Polk
15. Case study: Seville cathedral's music in performance 1549–1599 Owen Rees
Part IV. Performance in the Seventeenth Century: 16. Performance in the seventeenth century: an overview Tim Carter
17. Vocal performance in the seventeenth century Richard Wistreich
18. Instrumental performance in the seventeenth century David Ponsford
19. Case study: Monteverdi's Mass and Vespers (1610) Jonathan Wainwright
Part V. Performance in the 'Long Eighteenth Century': 20. Performance in the 'long eighteenth century': an overview Simon McVeigh
21. Vocal performance in 'the long eighteenth century' John Potter
22. Instrumental performance in 'the long eighteenth century' Peter Walls
23. Case study: Mozart: Symphonies in E flat major K543, G minor K550 and C major K551 Colin Lawson
Part VI. Performance in the Nineteenth Century: 24. Performance in the nineteenth century: an overview Michael Musgrave
25. Vocal performance in the nineteenth century Will Crutchfield
26. Instrumental performance in the nineteenth century Ian Pace
27. Case study: Richard Wagner: Tristan und Isolde Robin Stowell
Part VII. The Twentieth Century and Beyond: 28. Musical performance in the twentieth century: an overview Stephen Cottrell
29. Vocal performance in the twentieth century and beyond Jane Manning and Anthony Payne
30. Instrumental performance in the twentieth century and beyond Roger Heaton
31. Case study: Karlheinz Stockhausen: Gruppen für drei Orchester William Mival
Part VIII: 32. The future? Colin Lawson and Robin Stowell
Bibliography.

Subject Areas: Music [AV]