Pitch learning and the implications for music education
- Authors: Byrd, Audrey S
- Date: 1977
- Subjects: Musical pitch -- Instruction and study
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:2675 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007403
- Description: From introduction: A study of pitch learning must outlina first the procedures involved in such learning ar~d then identify specific factors appearing to influence the learning of pitch. Once identified, each factor can then be evaluated by controlled experiment before confirming its influence. Since it is \'lhat is heard and perceived that is learnt, I have started with the process of Hearing and Perceiving, for as Arnold Abramovitz, Senior Lecturer in Psychology at Cape Town says, "the reception, processing and interpretation of acoustic symbols constitutes some of the most elusive and complex phenomena to attempt to examine, gauge and measure, due partly to the transient, ephemeral nature of sound itself."
- Full Text:
- Authors: Byrd, Audrey S
- Date: 1977
- Subjects: Musical pitch -- Instruction and study
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:2675 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007403
- Description: From introduction: A study of pitch learning must outlina first the procedures involved in such learning ar~d then identify specific factors appearing to influence the learning of pitch. Once identified, each factor can then be evaluated by controlled experiment before confirming its influence. Since it is \'lhat is heard and perceived that is learnt, I have started with the process of Hearing and Perceiving, for as Arnold Abramovitz, Senior Lecturer in Psychology at Cape Town says, "the reception, processing and interpretation of acoustic symbols constitutes some of the most elusive and complex phenomena to attempt to examine, gauge and measure, due partly to the transient, ephemeral nature of sound itself."
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The keyboard sonatas of Pietro Augusto : an investigation into their formal and stylistic apsects
- Radloff, Timothy Edward Kingswell
- Authors: Radloff, Timothy Edward Kingswell
- Date: 1976
- Subjects: Augusto, Pietro , Sonatas (Piano)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MMus
- Identifier: vital:2689 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013047
- Description: This thesis supplements "The Piano Sonata of the Eighteenth Century in Germany" (Vol. 2 in the publication series "Contributions to the development of the Piano Sonata"). It does not aim at a comparative study between Pieto Augusto and his contemporaries but intends to establish the composer's individual characteristics in the light of the general development of the piano sonata during the eighteenth century.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Radloff, Timothy Edward Kingswell
- Date: 1976
- Subjects: Augusto, Pietro , Sonatas (Piano)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MMus
- Identifier: vital:2689 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013047
- Description: This thesis supplements "The Piano Sonata of the Eighteenth Century in Germany" (Vol. 2 in the publication series "Contributions to the development of the Piano Sonata"). It does not aim at a comparative study between Pieto Augusto and his contemporaries but intends to establish the composer's individual characteristics in the light of the general development of the piano sonata during the eighteenth century.
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The classical guitar : a study in structural, technical and musical evolution
- Authors: Nock, Howard James
- Date: 1974
- Subjects: Guitar , Guitar -- Construction
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MMus
- Identifier: vital:2687 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012966
- Description: Although complete works have been written dealing with the structural development of the guitar, to the best of my knowledge no attempt has yet been made to incorporate in one work an account in which structure, playing technique and musical style are correlated. Therefore the aim of this work has been to provide a compendium on these three main aspects of the historical development of the guitar ... The object of Part I is to try and establish the mainstream of the development of the guitar from the earliest beginnings of string instruments to the present day. Since little information and evidence of early instruments (i.e. before 1500 A.D.) is available, it has been necessary to formulate theories on how these developments may have taken place. Intro., p. 1.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Nock, Howard James
- Date: 1974
- Subjects: Guitar , Guitar -- Construction
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MMus
- Identifier: vital:2687 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012966
- Description: Although complete works have been written dealing with the structural development of the guitar, to the best of my knowledge no attempt has yet been made to incorporate in one work an account in which structure, playing technique and musical style are correlated. Therefore the aim of this work has been to provide a compendium on these three main aspects of the historical development of the guitar ... The object of Part I is to try and establish the mainstream of the development of the guitar from the earliest beginnings of string instruments to the present day. Since little information and evidence of early instruments (i.e. before 1500 A.D.) is available, it has been necessary to formulate theories on how these developments may have taken place. Intro., p. 1.
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The musical life of Henry Hare Dugmore, 1820 settler
- Authors: Henderson, Jenifer M
- Date: 1974
- Subjects: Dugmore, H H (Henry H), 1810-1897
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MMus
- Identifier: vital:2682 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012262
- Description: Henry Hare Dugmore, the eldest son of Isaac and Maria, was destined to play his part in the dramatic future of his adopted country; not only to help as an artisan and a farmer, but to build in the spiritual field as an influential missionary and in the academic field as a most capable lecturer; most important of all, in the Artistic field as a Poet and a Musician.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Henderson, Jenifer M
- Date: 1974
- Subjects: Dugmore, H H (Henry H), 1810-1897
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MMus
- Identifier: vital:2682 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012262
- Description: Henry Hare Dugmore, the eldest son of Isaac and Maria, was destined to play his part in the dramatic future of his adopted country; not only to help as an artisan and a farmer, but to build in the spiritual field as an influential missionary and in the academic field as a most capable lecturer; most important of all, in the Artistic field as a Poet and a Musician.
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The history, organization and training of wind bands
- Authors: Honey, Albert Edward
- Date: 1973
- Subjects: Band music -- Instruction and study , Band music -- Analysis, appreciation , Bands (Music) -- Instruction and study , Bands (Music)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:2692 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013343
- Description: From introduction: The decision to use the term "Wind Band" in connection with this work was made after much careful deliberation. The English word "Band" is derived from the French "bande" meaning a group of players. It was first applied in this context in England when the Twenty-four Violins at the Court of Charles II (in emulation of "Le Vingt-quatre Violons du Roi at the Court of Louis XIV of France) were known in England as "The King's Band "Band" is a title generally given at the present time to any of instrumentalists, and indeed, many of the World's most famous conductors have been known to refer to any large symphony orchestra as "The Band" and the dressing-room of every Symphony or Concert orchestra in the British Isles is invariably called "The Band-Room"
- Full Text:
- Authors: Honey, Albert Edward
- Date: 1973
- Subjects: Band music -- Instruction and study , Band music -- Analysis, appreciation , Bands (Music) -- Instruction and study , Bands (Music)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:2692 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013343
- Description: From introduction: The decision to use the term "Wind Band" in connection with this work was made after much careful deliberation. The English word "Band" is derived from the French "bande" meaning a group of players. It was first applied in this context in England when the Twenty-four Violins at the Court of Charles II (in emulation of "Le Vingt-quatre Violons du Roi at the Court of Louis XIV of France) were known in England as "The King's Band "Band" is a title generally given at the present time to any of instrumentalists, and indeed, many of the World's most famous conductors have been known to refer to any large symphony orchestra as "The Band" and the dressing-room of every Symphony or Concert orchestra in the British Isles is invariably called "The Band-Room"
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An historical survey of the organs, organists and music of St. George's Cathedral, Cape Town, from 1834 to 1952
- Authors: Smith, Barry, 1939-
- Date: 1969
- Subjects: St. George's Cathedral (Cape Town, South Africa) , Organ (Musical instrument) -- South Africa -- Cape Town -- History , Organists
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2665 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004745 , St. George's Cathedral (Cape Town, South Africa) , Organ (Musical instrument) -- South Africa -- Cape Town -- History , Organists
- Description: From Introduction: The first recorded Church of England service at the Cape took place in 1749, but for almost a century after that date Anglicans had no place of worship of their own. From about 1807 onwards the Groote Kerk in Adderley Street was regularly lent to the Chaplain on Sundays and the Kerkraad even allowed their bells to be rung to inform 'the British that it was time for their service'. In October 1827, for the first time in history, a bishop of the Church of England visited Cape Town. This was Dr. J.T. James, Bishop of Calcutta, who landed for a few days on his first voyage to India and was met by the Governor and his staff in great state. A meeting was held at which Bishop James was present and the eighteen gentlemen discussed proposals for the building of an English Church in Cape Town. "It was proposed that the building should hold at least 1,000 people. The Bishop said that the Home Government would grant ground and half the expenses... He reminded them of their obligation to the Dutch Church, who for so many years had allowed them to use their sanctuary, and he exhorted them to be active and persevering and remain attached to the doctrine and discipline of the Church of their forefathers, that venerable Church based on the foundation of Christ and His Apostles." As a result of t his meeting the Governor gave the site in the Gardens (at the foot of the Avenue) on which St . George's Cathedral now stands, and the site was consecrated by Bishop James on October 23rd, just before he sailed for Calcutta . "But after his departure the glow faded away, difficulties and quarrels appeared... and the scheme was shelved for two years." However, on St. George's Day, 23rd April 1830, the foundation stone of St. George's Church was laid by the Governor, Sir Lowry Cole,with military and Masonic honours. A triumphal arch was erected and troops lined the streets through which the procession was to pass. The name of the street at the head of which the Cathedral stands was changed from Bergh Street to St. George' s Street, and the contract was exclusive of enclosure, gates, bells and organ, but including pulpit, reading and clerk 's desks and all the work of the altar."
- Full Text:
- Authors: Smith, Barry, 1939-
- Date: 1969
- Subjects: St. George's Cathedral (Cape Town, South Africa) , Organ (Musical instrument) -- South Africa -- Cape Town -- History , Organists
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2665 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004745 , St. George's Cathedral (Cape Town, South Africa) , Organ (Musical instrument) -- South Africa -- Cape Town -- History , Organists
- Description: From Introduction: The first recorded Church of England service at the Cape took place in 1749, but for almost a century after that date Anglicans had no place of worship of their own. From about 1807 onwards the Groote Kerk in Adderley Street was regularly lent to the Chaplain on Sundays and the Kerkraad even allowed their bells to be rung to inform 'the British that it was time for their service'. In October 1827, for the first time in history, a bishop of the Church of England visited Cape Town. This was Dr. J.T. James, Bishop of Calcutta, who landed for a few days on his first voyage to India and was met by the Governor and his staff in great state. A meeting was held at which Bishop James was present and the eighteen gentlemen discussed proposals for the building of an English Church in Cape Town. "It was proposed that the building should hold at least 1,000 people. The Bishop said that the Home Government would grant ground and half the expenses... He reminded them of their obligation to the Dutch Church, who for so many years had allowed them to use their sanctuary, and he exhorted them to be active and persevering and remain attached to the doctrine and discipline of the Church of their forefathers, that venerable Church based on the foundation of Christ and His Apostles." As a result of t his meeting the Governor gave the site in the Gardens (at the foot of the Avenue) on which St . George's Cathedral now stands, and the site was consecrated by Bishop James on October 23rd, just before he sailed for Calcutta . "But after his departure the glow faded away, difficulties and quarrels appeared... and the scheme was shelved for two years." However, on St. George's Day, 23rd April 1830, the foundation stone of St. George's Church was laid by the Governor, Sir Lowry Cole,with military and Masonic honours. A triumphal arch was erected and troops lined the streets through which the procession was to pass. The name of the street at the head of which the Cathedral stands was changed from Bergh Street to St. George' s Street, and the contract was exclusive of enclosure, gates, bells and organ, but including pulpit, reading and clerk 's desks and all the work of the altar."
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The theory and practice of "Klangreihenkomposition"
- Authors: Nowotny, Norbert W
- Date: 1969
- Subjects: Hauer, Josef Matthias, 1883-1959 , Music theory , Twelve-tone system , Musical intervals and scales , Tonality
- Language: German
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:2693 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013394
- Description: Diese Arbeit befaßt sich mit der "Klangreihenlehre'', einer Musiktheorie, die von Josef Matthias Hauer aufgestellt und von meinem Lehrer Othmar Steinbauer weiterentwickelt wurde. Diese auf der Gesetzmäßigkeit der zwölf Töne beruhende Satzlehre hat jedoch mit der "Reihentechnik" jener Musik, die schlechthin als "Zwölftonmusik" bezeichnet wird, nichts gemein. Obwohl eine beachtliche Literatur über J.M. Hauer vorliegt, ist sie doch, was Hauers Musiktheorie betrifft, nicht zufriedenstellend, da sie hauptsächlich auf sein Leben und seine Musikphilosophie eingeht.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Nowotny, Norbert W
- Date: 1969
- Subjects: Hauer, Josef Matthias, 1883-1959 , Music theory , Twelve-tone system , Musical intervals and scales , Tonality
- Language: German
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:2693 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013394
- Description: Diese Arbeit befaßt sich mit der "Klangreihenlehre'', einer Musiktheorie, die von Josef Matthias Hauer aufgestellt und von meinem Lehrer Othmar Steinbauer weiterentwickelt wurde. Diese auf der Gesetzmäßigkeit der zwölf Töne beruhende Satzlehre hat jedoch mit der "Reihentechnik" jener Musik, die schlechthin als "Zwölftonmusik" bezeichnet wird, nichts gemein. Obwohl eine beachtliche Literatur über J.M. Hauer vorliegt, ist sie doch, was Hauers Musiktheorie betrifft, nicht zufriedenstellend, da sie hauptsächlich auf sein Leben und seine Musikphilosophie eingeht.
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Wood-wind instruments at the cross-roads : a survey of recent changes
- Authors: Honey, Albert Edward
- Date: 1969
- Subjects: Woodwind instruments Woodwind instruments -- History
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MMus
- Identifier: vital:2685 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012331
- Description: Since the rise of the "Stile Rappresentative" early in the seventeenth century, the composer has made definite and increasing demands on specific performance and tonal combination of instrumentalists which has materially affected the developnent in technique and, consequently, the improvement in construction and design of every musical instrument. The monodic "Stile Rappresentative" required expressive instruments with an extensive range to match the singers and, consequently, many instruments of the Renaissance period were rendered obsolescent. For instance, the shawms, pommers and crumhorns disappeared from concerted music-making with the exception of military and outdoor use, mainly in German windbands. More flexible instruments were required, and thus cornetts, flutes (mainly recorders and fipple-flutes), oboes and bassoons came gradually into their places, which for the main part they have occupied in the orchestra ever since that time. The String sections, too, underwent radical changes. A gradual metamorphosis from the Consort of Viols to the Violin Family took place following the work of the craftsmen Gasparo da Salố (1540 - 1609) and Giovanni Paolo Maggini of Brescia, perfected by the famous Cremonese school founded by Andrea Amati and continued by Stradivarius.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Honey, Albert Edward
- Date: 1969
- Subjects: Woodwind instruments Woodwind instruments -- History
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MMus
- Identifier: vital:2685 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012331
- Description: Since the rise of the "Stile Rappresentative" early in the seventeenth century, the composer has made definite and increasing demands on specific performance and tonal combination of instrumentalists which has materially affected the developnent in technique and, consequently, the improvement in construction and design of every musical instrument. The monodic "Stile Rappresentative" required expressive instruments with an extensive range to match the singers and, consequently, many instruments of the Renaissance period were rendered obsolescent. For instance, the shawms, pommers and crumhorns disappeared from concerted music-making with the exception of military and outdoor use, mainly in German windbands. More flexible instruments were required, and thus cornetts, flutes (mainly recorders and fipple-flutes), oboes and bassoons came gradually into their places, which for the main part they have occupied in the orchestra ever since that time. The String sections, too, underwent radical changes. A gradual metamorphosis from the Consort of Viols to the Violin Family took place following the work of the craftsmen Gasparo da Salố (1540 - 1609) and Giovanni Paolo Maggini of Brescia, perfected by the famous Cremonese school founded by Andrea Amati and continued by Stradivarius.
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An investigation into the importance of rhythmic and melodic variation for Brahm's development sections, with special reference to his four symphonies
- Authors: Schoeman, Delene Letitia
- Date: 1966
- Subjects: Brahms, Johannes, 1833-1897 -- Symphonies , Variations -- History and criticism
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MMus
- Identifier: vital:2690 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013170
- Description: "Variation is one of the oldest and most elemental types of music, beloved and practised by all musicians since the early lute and keyboard composers." The principle of the variation is that of "variety within unity, secured by the reproduction of limited musical material in changing aspects and is fundamental to composition." Typical instances are the use of fugal themes in changing combinations and with changing counter-material; continuous sequential expansion of a single motif in the baroque sonata or suite; the symphonic development in classical sonata form; ornamentation, compression, extension or elaboration of recapitulated sections. Intro., p. 1.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Schoeman, Delene Letitia
- Date: 1966
- Subjects: Brahms, Johannes, 1833-1897 -- Symphonies , Variations -- History and criticism
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MMus
- Identifier: vital:2690 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013170
- Description: "Variation is one of the oldest and most elemental types of music, beloved and practised by all musicians since the early lute and keyboard composers." The principle of the variation is that of "variety within unity, secured by the reproduction of limited musical material in changing aspects and is fundamental to composition." Typical instances are the use of fugal themes in changing combinations and with changing counter-material; continuous sequential expansion of a single motif in the baroque sonata or suite; the symphonic development in classical sonata form; ornamentation, compression, extension or elaboration of recapitulated sections. Intro., p. 1.
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Aspects of form and style in Beethoven's string quartets
- Authors: Biesheuvel, Barbara
- Date: 1963
- Subjects: Beethoven, Ludwig van, 1770-1827 -- Quartets -- strings
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MMus
- Identifier: vital:2678 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007645
- Description: Many books have been written which deal with the subject of form and style in Beethoven's works. Most writers, however, seem to be satisfied with superficial descriptions - in some cases merely programatic - which do not explain the underlying problems and treatment of form. Furthermore, no book exists, to my knowledge, which delves so deeply and with such detail as to deduce with almost certain accuracy the inner coherency of the form. It is the aim of this analysis to approach the problem in this way. The edition used for this purpose is that one published by Ernst Eulenberg Ltd. London WI, which was edited from the autograph M.S. by Professor Dr. Wilhelm Altman. No comparisons are made with other editions, and possible printer's and other errors are not considered. I chose the works to be studied here, the three quartets Op. 59, for two reasons: 1) the string quartet medium is one of the most suitable types of instrumental music for the study of form, 2) the Op. 59 quartets belong to a period in Beethoven's life when he was particularly intent upon experimentation in form and development of dimension.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Biesheuvel, Barbara
- Date: 1963
- Subjects: Beethoven, Ludwig van, 1770-1827 -- Quartets -- strings
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MMus
- Identifier: vital:2678 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007645
- Description: Many books have been written which deal with the subject of form and style in Beethoven's works. Most writers, however, seem to be satisfied with superficial descriptions - in some cases merely programatic - which do not explain the underlying problems and treatment of form. Furthermore, no book exists, to my knowledge, which delves so deeply and with such detail as to deduce with almost certain accuracy the inner coherency of the form. It is the aim of this analysis to approach the problem in this way. The edition used for this purpose is that one published by Ernst Eulenberg Ltd. London WI, which was edited from the autograph M.S. by Professor Dr. Wilhelm Altman. No comparisons are made with other editions, and possible printer's and other errors are not considered. I chose the works to be studied here, the three quartets Op. 59, for two reasons: 1) the string quartet medium is one of the most suitable types of instrumental music for the study of form, 2) the Op. 59 quartets belong to a period in Beethoven's life when he was particularly intent upon experimentation in form and development of dimension.
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Between Renaissance and Baroque: a study of the keybord works of Frescobaldi
- Authors: Maske, H H
- Date: 1963
- Subjects: Frescobaldi, Girolamo,1583-1643 -- Keyboard instrument music , Frescobaldi, Girolamo, 1583-1643 -- Criticism and interpretation , Music -- Italy -- 17th century , Organ music -- History and criticism , Keyboard instrument music -- 17th century -- History and criticism
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:2686 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012841
- Description: The present study is an attempt to enlarge upon the proposition that the age of Frescobaldi was, like all others, an age of transition, in his case the transition from Renaissance to Baroque. His position within this change is central, both in time and importance. In our first two chapters, the various categories of keyboard works which he enriched will be considered, with their prehistories, his contributions, and analyses of individual pieces. In chapter I the works mainly of instrumental origin will be dealt with, and in chapter ll those of more vocal derivation. In the final chapter, the information thus gleaned will be used to demonstrate his exact position within the transition, particularly with regard to its two most important aspects, the harmonic field and the interaction of vocal and instrumental elements.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Maske, H H
- Date: 1963
- Subjects: Frescobaldi, Girolamo,1583-1643 -- Keyboard instrument music , Frescobaldi, Girolamo, 1583-1643 -- Criticism and interpretation , Music -- Italy -- 17th century , Organ music -- History and criticism , Keyboard instrument music -- 17th century -- History and criticism
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:2686 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012841
- Description: The present study is an attempt to enlarge upon the proposition that the age of Frescobaldi was, like all others, an age of transition, in his case the transition from Renaissance to Baroque. His position within this change is central, both in time and importance. In our first two chapters, the various categories of keyboard works which he enriched will be considered, with their prehistories, his contributions, and analyses of individual pieces. In chapter I the works mainly of instrumental origin will be dealt with, and in chapter ll those of more vocal derivation. In the final chapter, the information thus gleaned will be used to demonstrate his exact position within the transition, particularly with regard to its two most important aspects, the harmonic field and the interaction of vocal and instrumental elements.
- Full Text:
The British organ and its music during the nineteenth century
- Authors: Wise, James Patrick Gerald
- Date: 1957
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:2694 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013429
- Description: It is a curious fact that, although the literature of the organ is a reasonably large one, no attempt has been made to study the history of the instrument in Britain in any detail. Hopkins and Rimbault covered a certain amount of ground up to 1800, but even they could not deal very extensively with the subject in a volume that was tracing the history of the organ not only in Britain, but throughout Europe, and not only its history but its construction also. For similar reasons Dr. Sumner? (name unclear), in his recent book, could paint little more than an outline picture. However, the British organ's development prior to 1800 was one that does not admit of very discursive treatment. Progress was lamentably slow in comparison with that of Continental organs; and consequently the nineteenth century dawned with British organ-building literally hundreds of years behind that of France, Germany, Belgium and Holland. Yet, a century later, the position was redeemed, and even before the present era opened, the products of British organ-builders were not merely equal to, but, in general superior to those of the Continent in tonal design, mechanism, in artistic finish, and in ordinary maintenance and preservation. The nineteenth century, then, must clearly be regarded as a remarkable, indeed glorious, period in British organ-building, in fact one is tempted to enquire, whether there exists, in the entire artistic and scientific history of any country a similar example of accelerated development; in which one country has made up three hundred years' leeway in one third of that time. This thesis therefore, sets out to examine and describe the events of the century, and the men who were responsible for those events, to trace the growth of the organ in its various departments, and as the instrument itself is only a means to an end, to say something about the way in which it was used, the music that was played on it, and the men who played and composed this music. The thesis is divided into two volumes, the first deals entirely with the history of the instrument and its builders during the nineteenth century, with an introduction briefly recounting the story from the Restoration up to the year 1800; and the second volume is concerned with the music and the musicians as well as the several detailed indexes which are so necessary if a work of this kind is to be of any value at all. A full bibliography is given in Volume Two, but supreme acknowledgement must be paid here to the quarterly periodical "The Organ" - still thriving after an active career that began in July 1921. Its scholarly articles range over the whole field of international organ-building and organ-history, and without its help this thesis would have been far less comprehensive in its scope and far lesss authorative in its source-material.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Wise, James Patrick Gerald
- Date: 1957
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:2694 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013429
- Description: It is a curious fact that, although the literature of the organ is a reasonably large one, no attempt has been made to study the history of the instrument in Britain in any detail. Hopkins and Rimbault covered a certain amount of ground up to 1800, but even they could not deal very extensively with the subject in a volume that was tracing the history of the organ not only in Britain, but throughout Europe, and not only its history but its construction also. For similar reasons Dr. Sumner? (name unclear), in his recent book, could paint little more than an outline picture. However, the British organ's development prior to 1800 was one that does not admit of very discursive treatment. Progress was lamentably slow in comparison with that of Continental organs; and consequently the nineteenth century dawned with British organ-building literally hundreds of years behind that of France, Germany, Belgium and Holland. Yet, a century later, the position was redeemed, and even before the present era opened, the products of British organ-builders were not merely equal to, but, in general superior to those of the Continent in tonal design, mechanism, in artistic finish, and in ordinary maintenance and preservation. The nineteenth century, then, must clearly be regarded as a remarkable, indeed glorious, period in British organ-building, in fact one is tempted to enquire, whether there exists, in the entire artistic and scientific history of any country a similar example of accelerated development; in which one country has made up three hundred years' leeway in one third of that time. This thesis therefore, sets out to examine and describe the events of the century, and the men who were responsible for those events, to trace the growth of the organ in its various departments, and as the instrument itself is only a means to an end, to say something about the way in which it was used, the music that was played on it, and the men who played and composed this music. The thesis is divided into two volumes, the first deals entirely with the history of the instrument and its builders during the nineteenth century, with an introduction briefly recounting the story from the Restoration up to the year 1800; and the second volume is concerned with the music and the musicians as well as the several detailed indexes which are so necessary if a work of this kind is to be of any value at all. A full bibliography is given in Volume Two, but supreme acknowledgement must be paid here to the quarterly periodical "The Organ" - still thriving after an active career that began in July 1921. Its scholarly articles range over the whole field of international organ-building and organ-history, and without its help this thesis would have been far less comprehensive in its scope and far lesss authorative in its source-material.
- Full Text: