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CHAPTER XXXI
5458 words | Chapter 64
MUSIC
The general articles on music in the Encyclopaedia Britannica provide an
illuminative discussion of broad artistic principles which cannot fail
to stimulate the musical sense and perception of the professional or the
amateur. The technical and critical treatment of the subject was
directed by Donald F. Tovey, composer, pianist, and author of _Essays in
Musical Analysis_; and no one could be better fitted for the work of
organizing this department of the Britannica. He was assisted by W. H.
Hadow, the well-known musical writer and composer, J. A. Fuller
Maitland, musical critic of _The Times_ (London), E. J. Dent, author of
_Alessandro Scarlatti and His Works_, R. H. Legge, principal musical
critic on the _Daily Telegraph_ (London), and others; and the section
treating of musical instruments was organized and contributed by Miss
Kathleen Schlesinger, the greatest living authority on the subject.
In mapping out courses of reading the subject is divided into sections
as follows: (1) Evolution, (2) Theory, (3) Musical Forms, (4) Musical
Instruments.
The article MUSIC (Vol. 19, p. 72), by Donald Tovey, which contains a
masterly account of the development of the art from the earliest time
down to the present day, provides the reader with just that general
survey which enables him to see the whole picture in perspective. This
he will naturally turn to first, but to fill out the picture there are a
number of other articles which he will wish to read. In the following
scheme the evolution of the art has been sketched in skeleton, so that
the student may have before him a guide to the study of any period in
which he is specially interested. This outline serves to show how very
thoroughly the ground is covered in the new Encyclopaedia Britannica.
(1) EVOLUTION OF MUSIC
_Subject for Reading_ _Article_
_PRE-HARMONIC STAGE_
Primitive Music. MUSIC (Vol. 19, p. 72).
SONG (Vol. 25, p. 406).
Musical sense first awakened by the DANCE (Vol. 7, p. 795); see also
rhythm of the dance. RHYTHM (Vol. 23, p. 278).
Legendary account of the invention DAVID (Vol. 7, p. 859).
of music by a Judean.
Hebrew music: setting of the PSALMS, BOOK OF (Vol. 22, p. 539
Psalms. and p. 536).
Suggested Jewish origin of some PLAIN SONG (Vol. 21, p. 706).
Gregorian Tunes.
Dawn of modern music in Greece. GREEK LITERATURE (Vol. 12, p. 509).
Connection of music with lyric
poetry. Terpander of Lesbos (660
B.C.) adds 3 strings to the
4–stringed lyre, giving compass
of octave.
Characteristics of Greek music. MUSIC (Vol. 19, p. 73); see also
Pythagoras (6th century, B.C.) PYTHAGORAS (Vol. 22, p. 699).
fixes the intervals of the
harmonic series and of the
diatonic scale.
The Greek scale shows a latent LYRE (Vol. 17, p. 178); see also
harmonic sense, though octaves ORCHESTRA (Vol. 20, p. 168);
only allowed. AULOS (Vol. 2, p. 917); CITHARA
(Vol. 6, p. 395).
HARMONY (Vol. 13, p. 1).
Pitch in Greek music. PITCH, MUSICAL (Vol. 21, p. 661).
Other primitive systems without CHINA, _Literature_ (Vol. 6, p. 228
influence on modern music. and p. 215).
Chinese adopted Pythagorean system;
a lost art recovered in 3rd
century, A.D.
Indian music—Scale of 22 intervals. SANSKRIT (Vol. 24, p. 181).
Siamese music: 7 tone scale; SIAM (Vol. 25, p. 5).
orchestras perform in unison.
The music of the North American INDIANS, NORTH AMERICAN (Vol. 14,
Indian. p. 470).
Biographies of musicians of the primitive, non-harmonic, period in the
Britannica are: TERPANDER, 7th century B.C.; PYTHAGORAS, 6th century
B.C.; ARISTOXENUS, 4th century; ALYPIUS, 3rd century B.C.; ARISTIDES,
QUINTILIANUS, 3rd century.
_HARMONIC ORIGINS_
The Greeks found that by doubling the melody at the octave a greater
sonority resulted. It was a great step from this to the discovery that
two separate tunes could be combined which should be satisfying to the
ear. With this discovery modern harmony may be said to have begun.
_Subject_ _Article_
Awakening of the harmonic sense. MUSIC (Vol. 19, p. 74); HARMONY
(Vol. 13, p. 1).
The Grecian modes modified into the PLAIN SONG (Vol. 21, p. 705); see
ecclesiastical by Ambrose in the also AMBROSE (Vol. 1, p. 798),
4th century. and GREGORY (Vol. 12, p. 567).
Following Hucbald, “beatus Guido GUIDO OF AREZZO (Vol. 12, p. 687);
inventor musicae” in the 11th see also HUCBALD (Vol. 13, p.
century, invents names for the 847).
notes and improves system of
notation.
The Troubadour becomes a learned ADAM DE LA HALE, 13th century (Vol.
musician in the 13th century. 1, p. 171); MACHAUT (Vol. 17, p.
233).
After Dunstable of England and DES PRÉS, JOSQUIN (Vol. 8, p. 103);
Dufay of the Netherlands had see also BINCHOIS, EGIDIUS (Vol.
invented counterpoint comes the 3, p. 948).
first great composer, heralding
the advent of the “Golden Age.”
_THE GOLDEN AGE_
[Sidenote: The First Great Climax]
Composers were not long content with the simple combination of two
tunes. They soon found that three tunes so treated afforded a yet richer
texture, and the extension to the elaborate polyphony of 16th century
choral music was an inevitable step. An elaborate system of
prohibitions, based on the limitations of the human voice, and the
difficulty of attacking certain intervals, shackled the composer at
every turn and formed the basis of theories of counterpoint which
endured almost to our time. Despite the restrictions imposed by their
rules, the structure raised by the great composers of the first half of
the 16th century was of amazing richness and complexity.
_Subject of Reading_ _Article_
The Riot of Choral Polyphony in the MUSIC, _The Golden Age_ (Vol. 19,
16th century. p. 75); see also HARMONY (Vol.
13, p. 2); INSTRUMENTATION,
_Vocal Styles of 16th Century_
(Vol. 14, p. 651).
Musical forms brought to great CONTRAPUNTAL FORMS, _Canonic Forms
perfection in this period those and Devices_, _Counterpoint on a
in which texture holds first Canto Fermo_ (Vol. 7, p. 42); see
place. also MASS, _Polyphonic Masses_
(Vol. 17, p. 849); MADRIGAL (Vol.
17, p. 295); MOTET (Vol. 18, p.
905).
Leaders of musical thought in the LASSO, Orlando (Vol. 16, p. 237);
“Golden Age.” TALLIS, T. (Vol. 26, p. 377);
PALESTRINA (Vol. 20, p. 627).
[Sidenote: Composer of the Golden Age]
Composers of the “Golden Age,” following the polyphonic tradition of
the early 16th century, biographies of whom appear in the Britannica,
are: _Netherlandish_: ARCADELT, JACOB, 1514–1556; LASSO, ORLANDO, c.
1530–1594; _German_: FINCK, HERMANN, 1527–1558; ECCARD, JOHANN,
1553–1611; AICHINGER, GREGOR, leader of Reformation church music, c.
1565–1628; _French_: GOUDIMEL, C., c. 1510–1572; _English_: WILBYE,
JOHN, 16th century, famous for his madrigals; MERBECK, JOHN, d. 1585;
BENNETT, JOHN, d.c. 1614; BATESON, T., d. 1630, a composer of
madrigals; TALLIS, T., c. 1515–1585, “father of English cathedral
music”; FARRANT, R., c. 1530–1581; BYRD, WM., 1543–1623; MORLEY, T.,
1557–1603; GIBBONS, ORLANDO, 1583–1625; _Italian_: ANIMUCCIA,
GIOVANNI, c. 1490–1571; ZARLINO, GIOSEFFO, 1517–1590, fixed the
diatonic scale as now accepted; PALESTRINA, GIOVANNI PIERLUIGI DA,
1526–1594; BANCHIERE, ADRIANO, c. 1557–1634, fought against monodist
revolt—see below; ANERIO (brothers), c. 1560–1620; ARTUSI, G. M., 16th
century, opposed Monteverdi’s innovations—see below; _Spanish_:
VICTORIA, TOMMASSO L. DA, c. 1540–1613.
_THE FIRST ROMANTIC MOVEMENT_
The last word in polyphony seemed to have been said by such masters as
Orlando Lasso, and Palestrina, and a change into new paths was
inevitable. Moreover, men’s minds were craving something more directly
stimulating than the passionless web of ecclesiastical polyphony, which
was the glory of the 16th century. Freedom was sought from the
conventions of modal counterpoint. The monodist revolt was the result.
_Subject_ _Article_
Revolt against the overelaboration MUSIC, _The Monodic Revolution_
of texture. (Vol. 19, p. 76); HARMONY,
_Modern Harmony_ (Vol. 13, p. 4).
Prominence given to solo part SONG (Vol. 25, p. 406); ARIA (Vol.
rather than to choral effect 2, p. 489).
leads to development of the aria.
The leader in the new paths, the MONTEVERDE, CLAUDIO (Vol. 18, p.
pioneer of modern harmony. 778).
The first oratorio (1600). ORATORIO (Vol. 20, p. 161); see
also CAVALIERE, EMILIO DEL (Vol.
5, p. 563).
The first opera (1600). OPERA (Vol. 20, p. 121); see also
PERI, JACOPO (Vol. 21, p. 144).
The monodic impulse synchronizes VIOLIN (Vol. 28, p. 103); see also
with the startling development of AMATI (Vol. 1, p. 783); GUARNIERI
the violin family by the Cremona (Vol. 12, p. 660); STRADIVARI
makers. (Vol. 25, p. 977).
[Sidenote: Famous Monodists]
Among distinguished composers of this period and school are:
_English_: BULL, JOHN, c. 1562–1628; FORD, THOMAS, b. 1580; LAWES,
HENRY, 1595–1662; _Italian_: CAVALIERE, E. DEL, c. 1550–1602; PERI,
JACOPO, b. 1561; GABRIELE, GIOVANNI, 1557–c. 1612, early experimenter
in chromatic harmony; CACCINI, GIULIO, 1558–1615; MONTEVERDE, CLAUDIO,
1567–1643; ALLEGRI, GREGORIO, c. 1570–1652; FRESCOBALDI, GIROLAMO,
1583–1644, famous also as a teacher; AGOSTINO, P., 1593–1639; CAVALLI,
F., 1596–1676, popularized opera; CARISSIMI, G., c. 1604–1674,
popularized oratorio; ROSSI, LUIGI DE. All the above have separate
articles assigned to them in the Britannica.
_THE 17th CENTURY AND AFTER_
[Sidenote: The Second Great Climax]
Those who revolted from the traditions of the polyphonic school went, as
was inevitable, too far. A reaction was equally inevitable, for the
language of the new music was unformed and was in danger of being
stereotyped into the emptiest of formulas. The welding of the old and
new ideas was all that was needed to prepare the way for the colossal
achievement of a Bach or a Beethoven. It was a busy period when the
rules of counterpoint were reviewed and revised, when theories of
harmony as a distinct science took shape. But, save for the work of such
men as Purcell, the Englishman (Vol. 22, p. 658), born 100 years before
his time, the 17th century was mainly one of preparation. The next great
climax came in the first half of the 18th century.
_Subject_ _Article_
The renascence of texture, the MUSIC (Vol. 19, p. 77); HARMONY
welding of polyphony and monody. (Vol. 13, p. 4).
Publication in 1715 of the famous FUX, JOHANN JOSEPH (Vol. 11, p.
_Gradus ad Parnassum_, the first 375).
complete theory of counterpoint.
The first systematic theory of RAMEAU, J. P. (Vol. 22, p. 874).
harmony published in 1722.
The second great climax in music. MUSIC, _Bach and Handel_ (Vol. 19,
p. 78).
The achievement of Johann Sebastian BACH, J. S. (Vol. 3, p. 124); see
Bach. also CONTRAPUNTAL FORMS (Vol. 7,
p. 41); CONCERTO (Vol. 6, p.
825); OVERTURE (Vol. 20, p. 384);
SUITE (Vol. 26, p. 51); ORATORIO
(Vol. 20, p. 161); CANTATA (Vol.
5, p. 209); MASS, _Lutheran
Masses_ (Vol. 17, p. 850);
VARIATIONS (Vol. 27, p. 912);
INSTRUMENTATION, _Decoration_ and
_Orchestral Schemes_ (Vol. 14, p.
651 and p. 655).
[Sidenote: 17th and 18th Century Composers]
Composers of the period who have separate notices in the Britannica
are: _Italian_: CESTI, M. A., c. 1620–1669; COLONNA, GIOVANNI P., c.
1637–1695; PASQUINI, B., 1637–1710; STRADELLA, ALESSANDRO, 1645–1682;
CORELLI, ARCANGELO, 1653–1713, first classic of the violin; STEFFANI,
A., 1653–1728; SCARLATTI, ALESSANDRO, 1659–1725, largely created
language of modern music; PITONI, G. O., 1657–1743; LOTTI, ANTONIO, c.
1667–1740; CLARI, G. C. M., c. 1669–1745; BONONCINI, G. B., c.
1672–1750; ALBINONI, T., c. 1674–1745; ASTORGA, EMANUELE D’,
1681–1736; DURANTE, FRANCESCO, 1684–1755; MARCELLO, B., 1686–1739;
VINCI, LEONARDO, 1690–1730; LEO, LEONARDO, 1694–1744; LOGROSCINO,
NICOLA, c. 1700–1763; PERGOLESI, GIOVANNI BATTISTA, 1710–1736;
ALBERTI, DOMENICO, c. 1710–1740; _French_: CAMBERT, R., 1628–1677;
LULLY, JEAN-BAPTISTE, c. 1623–1687, inventor of the classical French
opera style; _English_: LOCKE, MATTHEW, c. 1630–1677; BLOW, JOHN,
1648–1708; PURCELL, HENRY, 1658–1695; CROFT, WILLIAM, 1678–1727;
HANDEL, GEORGE FREDERICK, 1685–1759; GREENE, MAURICE, 1695–1755;
_German_: BACH, JOHANN SEBASTIAN, 1685–1750; HASSE, JOHANN A.,
1699–1783; EBERLIN, J. E., 1702–1762.
_THE RISE OF THE SONATA_
[Sidenote: The Third Great Climax]
Bach, like Palestrina, seemed to have closed a period; and for nearly a
hundred years after his death his influence on the course of musical
development was astonishingly small. Again men sought new channels of
expression and found them in instrumental music. But a structure less
loosely knit than the suite form was needed if the new ideas were to be
adequately stated, and the sonata grew into being, a form which has
sufficed to this day as a medium for the noblest thoughts of the great
composers. The 18th century saw, too, the reform of the opera by Gluck,
a great development of orchestral resources, and the rise of the string
quartette in chamber music.
_Subject_ _Article_
The new language: evolution of the MUSIC (Vol. 19, p. 79); SONATA,
sonata from the suite. _Sonata Style_ (Vol. 25, p. 394);
see also SCARLETTI, DOMINICO
(Vol. 24, p. 302); and BACH, K.
P. E. (Vol. 3, p. 130).
Reform of the opera. OPERA (Vol. 20, p. 123); see also
GLUCK (Vol. 12, p. 138); PICCINNI
(Vol. 21, p. 579); MOZART (Vol.
18, p. 951).
The rise of the symphony and the MUSIC, _The Symphonic Classes_
string quartette, development of (Vol. 19, p. 78); SONATA FORMS
the sonata. (Vol. 25, p. 395); SYMPHONY (Vol.
26, p. 290); see also HAYDN (Vol.
13, p. 110).
The growth of the orchestra. INSTRUMENTATION, _Symphonic_ (Vol.
14, p. 652); see also HAYDN (Vol.
13, p. 110).
The third great climax. The BEETHOVEN, L. VON (Vol. 3, p. 644);
perfection of the sonata form. see also SONATA FORMS (Vol. 25,
p. 397); INSTRUMENTATION (Vol.
14, p. 653); VARIATIONS (Vol. 27,
p. 913); MASS (Vol. 17, p. 850).
Biographies of the following composers of the period appear in the
Britannica: _German and Austrian_: BACH, KARL PHILIPP EMANUEL,
1714–1788; GLUCK, C. W., 1714–1787; HILLER, J. A., 1728–1804; HAYDN,
FRANZ JOSEPH, 1732–1809; DITTERSDORF, KARL DITTERS VON, 1739–1799;
WINTER, P., c. 1755–1825; MOZART, WOLFGANG AMADEUS, 1756–1791; HIMMEL,
F. H., 1765–1814; BEETHOVEN, LUDWIG VAN, 1770–1827; _French_: GOSSEC,
F. J., 1734–1829; GRETRY, A. E. M., 1741–1813; MEHUL, ETIENNE H.,
1763–1817; LESUEUR, JEAN FRANÇOIS, c. 1763–1837; BOIELDIEU, F. A.,
1775–1834; _English_: ARNE, T. A., 1710–1778, preserved English
tradition in face of Handelian obsession; BOYCE, WILLIAM, 1710–1779;
JACKSON, W., 1730–1803; BATTISHILL, J., 1738–1801; ARNOLD, S.,
1740–1802; DIBDIN, C., 1745–1814; SHIELD, W., 1748–1829; STORACE, S.,
1763–1796; ATTWOOD, T., 1765–1838; WESLEY, SAMUEL, 1766–1837, father
of modern organ playing; _Italian_: SCARLATTI, DOMENICO, 1685–1757;
MARTINI, G. B., 1706–1784; GALUPPI, BALDASSARE, 1706–1785; JOMMELLI,
N., 1714–1774; GUGLIELMI, P., 1727–1804; PICCINNI, N., 1728–1800;
SARTI, GIUSEPPE, 1729–1802; SACCHINI, A. M. G., 1734–1786; PAISIELLO,
G., 1741–1816; BOCCHERINI, LUIGI, 1743–1805, last real master of suite
form; CIMAROSA, D., 1749–1801; SALIERI, A., 1750–1825; CHERUBINI,
1760–1842; PAER, F., 1771–1839.
_NEW PATHS_
Early in the 19th century the wave of romanticism broke over Europe. The
effect on music was not nearly so violent as was the monodic revolt of
the 16th–17th centuries, since the resources and technique of the art
had now been developed; but it was nevertheless striking and showed
itself in several directions, but mainly in two: lyrical and dramatic.
The short compositions of Field, Schumann, and Chopin, and the
development of the art song are instances of the former; the whole range
of programme music, of which the symphonic poem is the prototype, is
evidence of the latter; while in opera the reforms started by Gluck were
carried to their logical conclusion by Wagner. Two other movements are
also significant; the return to Bach and a recognition of his amazing
modernity, and the pronounced revival of national characteristics in
music, as shown particularly in the new English, Russian, and Bohemian
Schools.
_Subject_ _Article_
The Romantic Period. MUSIC, _From Beethoven to Wagner_
(Vol. 19, p. 79).
The Romantic in opera. WEBER, CARL MARIA F. E. VON (Vol.
28, p. 455); SONG (Vol. 25, p.
409).
The first great lyrical song SCHUBERT, FRANZ PETER (Vol. 24, p.
writer. 379); SONG (Vol. 25, p. 409).
The Romantic in the symphony. PROGRAMME MUSIC (Vol. 22, p. 424);
see also BERLIOZ, HECTOR (Vol. 3,
p. 791).
The rediscovery of Bach. BACH, J. S. (Vol. 2, p. 124);
MENDELSSOHN (Vol. 18, pp.
121–124).
Development of song forms. SONG (Vol. 25, p. 410); see also
SCHUMANN, ROBERT (Vol. 24, p.
384); WOLF, HUGO (Vol. 28, p.
771); BRAHMS, J. (Vol. 4, p.
390).
Discontent with the sonata form. SYMPHONIC POEM (Vol. 26, p. 289);
LISZT, F. (Vol. 16, p. 780).
Gluck’s idea realised; union of MUSIC (Vol. 19, p. 80); OPERAS,
music _Leit-Motif_ with drama.
(Vol. 20, p.
125); WAGNER, W. RICHARD (Vol.
28, p. 236).
The last of the royal line of BRAHMS, JOHANNES (Vol. 4, p. 389);
German composers shows vitality SONATA FORMS, _Sonata since
of the sonata form. Beethoven_ (Vol. 25, p. 398).
Modern Tendencies. MUSIC (Vol. 19, p. 82); see also
STRAUSS, RICHARD (Vol. 25, p.
1003); DEBUSSY, ACHILLE (Vol. 7,
p. 906).
Composers of this period, who have had separate articles assigned to
them in the Britannica, follow: the growth of national schools will be
noted.
[Sidenote: 19th Century Composers]
_German and Austrian_: GANSBACHER, J. B., 1778–1844; KREUTZER, K.,
1780–1849; SPOHR, LUDWIG, 1784–1859; WEBER, CARL MARIA F. E. VON,
1786–1886; MEYERBEER, G., 1791–1863; HAUPTMANN, M., 1792–1868; LÖWE,
J. K. G., 1796–1869; SCHUBERT, FRANZ PETER, 1797–1828; LORTZING, G.
A., 1801–1851; STRAUSS, JOHANN, 1804–1849, king of valse composers;
MENDELSSOHN-BARTHOLDY, J. L. F., 1809–1847; NICOLAI, OTTO, 1810–1849;
SCHUMANN, ROBERT ALEXANDER, 1810–1856; HILLER, F., 1811–1885; WAGNER,
RICHARD, 1813–1883; HELLER, STEPHEN, 1815–1888; FRANZ, ROBERT,
1815–1892, song composer; ABT, FRANZ, 1819–1885, art folk-song; SUPPE,
F. VON, 1820–1895; RAFF, J. J., 1822–1882; CORNELIUS, CARL AUGUST
PETER, 1824–1874, song writer; BRUCKNER, ANTON, 1824–1896, Wagnerian
symphonist; REINECKE, C. H. C., 1824–1910; LASSEN, EDUARD, 1830–1904;
JOACHIM, JOSEPH, 1831–1907; BRAHMS, JOHANNES, 1833–1897; BRUCH, MAX,
b. 1838; RHEINBERGER, J. G., 1839–1901; GOETZ, HERMANN, 1840–1876;
NESZLER, V., 1841–1890: HUMPERDINCK, E., b. 1854; WOLF, HUGO,
1860–1903; STRAUSS, RICHARD, b. 1864.
_French_: AUBER, D. F. E., 1782–1871; HEROLD, L. J. F., 1791–1833;
HALEVY, J. F. F. E., 1799–1862; BERLIOZ, HECTOR, 1803–1869; DAVID, F.,
1810–1876; THOMAS, C. L. AMBROISE, 1811–1896; GOUNOD, C. F.,
1818–1893; OFFENBACH, J., 1819–1880; FRANCK, CESAR, 1822–1890, founder
of Modern French School; LALO, E., 1823–1892; REYER, E., b. 1823;
LECOCQ, A. C., b. 1832; BENOIT, P. L. L., 1834–1901; SAINT-SAËNS,
CHARLES CAMILLE, b. 1835; DUBOIS, F. C. T., b. 1837; BIZET, GEORGES,
1838–1875; JONCIERES, V., 1839–1903; CHABRIER, A. E., 1841–1894;
AUDRAN, E., 1842–1901; MASSENET, J. E. F., 1842–1912; FAURE, GABRIEL,
b., 1845; WIDOR, CHARLES MARIE, b. 1845; GODARD, BENJAMIN L. P.,
1849–1895; PLANQUETTE, R., b. 1850; D’INDY,. P. M. T. V., b. 1851;
MESSAGER, A. C. P., b. 1853; BRUNEAU, ALFRED, b. 1857; CHAMINADE,
CÉCILE, b. 1861; BEMBERG, HERMAN, b. 1861; DEBUSSY, CLAUDE ACHILLES,
b. 1862.
_Belgian_: The violinist YSAYE, b. 1858.
_Italian_: SPONTANI, G. L. P., 1774–1851; ROSSINI, G. A., 1792–1868;
DONIZETTI, G., 1798–1848; BELLINI, V., 1801–1835; VERDI, GIUSEPPE,
1813–1901; PONCHIELLI, AMILCARE, 1834–1886, on whom have modelled
themselves, Mascagni, Leoncavallo, etc.; BOITO, ARRIGO, b. 1842;
SGAMBATI, G., b. 1843; LEONCAVALLO, R., b. 1858; PUCCINI, G., b. 1858;
MASCAGNI, P., b. 1863.
_British_: HORSLEY, WM., 1774–1858; SMART, SIR GEORGE T., 1776–1867;
BISHOP, SIR H. R., 1786–1855; PEARSALL, R. L. DE, 1795–1856; FIELD,
JOHN, 1782–1837, inventor of the nocturne; GOSS, SIR JOHN, 1800–1880;
HATTON, J. L., 1800–1886; BARNETT, J., 1802–1890; BENEDICT, SIR
JULIUS, 1804–1885; BALFE, M. W., 1808–1870; WESLEY, S. S., 1810–1876;
HULLAH, JOHN P., 1812–1884; MACFARREN, SIR G. A., 1813–1887; WALLACE,
WM. V., 1814–1865; PIERSON, H. H., 1815–1873; BENNETT, SIR WM.
STERNDALE, 1816–1875; OUSELEY, SIR F. A. G., 1825–1889; BACHE, F. E.,
1833–1858; CLAY, F., 1838–1889; BARNBY, SIR J., 1838–1896; STAINER,
SIR JOHN, 1840–1901; SULLIVAN, SIR ARTHUR S., 1842–1900; CELLIER,
ALFRED, 1844–1891; MACKENZIE, SIR A. C., b. 1847; PARRY, SIR C. HUBERT
H., b. 1848, on whom fell the mantle of Purcell; THOMAS, ARTHUR
GORING, 1850–1892; COWEN, F. J., b. 1852; STANFORD, SIR CHARLES
VILLIERS, b. 1852; ELGAR, SIR EDWARD, b. 1857; MACCUNN, HAMISH, b.
1868.
_Bohemian_: SMETANA, F., 1824–1884, founder of modern Bohemian School;
DVOŘÁK, ANTON, 1841–1904.
_Hungarian_: GUNG’L, JOSEF, 1810–1889; LISZT, FRANZ, 1811–1886;
GOLDMARK, KARL, b. 1832; PADEREWSKI, I. J., b. 1860.
_Polish_: CHOPIN, FREDERIC FRANÇOIS, 1810–1849; MOSZKOWSKI, MORITZ, b.
1854.
_Russian_: GLINKA, M. IVANOVICH, 1803–1857, founder of national
school; DARGOMIJSKY, A. SERGEIVICH, 1813–1869; RUBINSTEIN, ANTON,
1829–1894; BORODIN, A. PORFYRIEVICH, 1834–1887; MOUSSORGSKY, M.
PETROVICH, 1835–1881; BALAKIREV, M. ALEXEIVICH, b. 1836; TSCHAIKOVSKY,
PETER ILICH, 1840–1893; RIMSKY-KORSAKOV, N. ANDREIEVICH, 1844–1908;
GLAZUNOV, A. CONSTANTINOVICH, b. 1865.
_Norwegian_: The violinist BULL, OLE, 1810–1880; KJERULF, HALFDAN,
1815–1868; SVENDSEN, J. S., b. 1840; GRIEG, EDVARD HAGERUP, 1843–1907.
_Danish_: GADE, NIELS W., 1817–1890.
_Sweden_: WENNERBERT, G., 1817–1901, song writer.
_American_: EMMETT, D. D., started “negro minstrels,” 1815–1904;
FOSTER, STEPHEN C., 1826–1864, song writer; EICHBERG, JULIUS,
1824–1893, founded Boston Conservatory of Music; BUCK, DUDLEY,
1839–1909; MACDOWELL, EDWARD ALEXANDER, 1861–1908. For notices of
other modern composers and their tendencies—see MUSIC, _Recent Music_
(Vol. 19, p. 82).
[Sidenote: Musical Historians]
Famous musical historians and writers on music, whose biographies are
in the Encyclopaedia Britannica, are: ARISTOXENUS, 4th century B.C.;
PRAETORIUS, M., 1571–1621; PERUSCH, J. C., 1667–1752; BARNARD, JOHN,
17th century; HAWKINS, SIR JOHN, 1710–1789; GERBERT, M., 1720–1793;
BURNEY, CH., 1726–1814; GERBER, 1746–1819; FORKEL, J. N., 1749–1818;
BAINI, G., 1775–1844; NOVELLO, V., 1781–1861; CALLCOTT, J. W.,
1766–1821; FETIS, F. J., 1784–1871; CHORLEY, H. F., 1808–1872;
CHAPPELL, WM., 1809–1888; DWIGHT, JOHN S., 1813–1893; AMBROS, A. W.,
1816–1876; GROVE, SIR GEORGE, 1820–1900.
(2) THEORETICAL ARTICLES
“In the beginning,” said Hans von Bülow, “was rhythm,” and as RHYTHM
(Vol. 23, p. 277) is the skeleton of every musical phrase and formula,
the interesting article by Donald Tovey on rhythm in music may well
serve as an introduction to the other subjects in this section. Passing
to the elements, the articles SOUND, _Diatonic Scale_ (Vol. 25, p. 448)
and PLAIN SONG (Vol. 21, p. 705) should be read. In the former article
the physical basis of the modern scale is determined, while in the
latter an account is given of the modes which for centuries were the
vehicles of musical expression. In the article MUSICAL NOTATION (Vol.
19, p. 86) the steps by which the present system of recording music was
reached are noted, and in PITCH, MUSICAL (Vol. 21, p. 660), the whole of
this interesting and vexed subject is reviewed by Alfred J. Hipkins, a
high authority, formerly hon. curator of the Royal College of Music. The
article MELODY (Vol. 18, p. 96) contains in addition to a discussion of
the terms a series of useful definitions (e.g., conjunct and disjunct
motion) and several musical examples. This brings us to the main
articles of this section—COUNTERPOINT (Vol. 7, p. 315), HARMONY (Vol.
13, p. 1) and INSTRUMENTATION (Vol. 14, p. 651). All are by Donald Tovey
and all are brilliant. In particular the article HARMONY deserves the
most careful study, especially interesting being the sections _Tonality_
and _Key-relationship_. The article on counterpoint is mainly a
definition of the principles involved and is introductory both to
Harmony and to Contrapuntal Forms. In INSTRUMENTATION the question of
colour is discussed from the historical and aesthetic aspects,
accompanied by valuable analysis of the colour schemes of various
composers from the choral writers of the “Golden Age” down to Wagner and
Richard Strauss.
[Sidenote: Theorists]
Famous theorists who have helped to establish the grammar of music are
the following: TERPANDER, 7th century B.C., founder of Greek music
(Vol. 26, p. 647); PYTHAGORAS, 6th century, B.C., said to have
discovered numerical relation governing the harmonic series (Vol. 22,
p. 699); ALYPIUS, 3rd century B.C. (Vol. 1, p. 776); ARISTIDES,
QUINTILIANUS, 3rd century A.D.; HUCBALD, c. 840–930, inventor of new
notation (Vol. 13, p. 847); GUIDO OF AREZZO, c. 995–1050, “Beatus
Guido, inventor musicae,” (Vol. 12, p. 687); AGRICOLA, MARTIN, c.
1500–1556; ZARLINO, G., 1517–1590, fixed the diatonic scale; ARTUSI,
G. M., 16th century, opposed monodist revolt; FUX, J. J., wrote the
famous _Gradus ad Parnassum_, RAMEAU, J. P., 1683–1764, to whom the
first systematic theory of harmony is due; ALBRECHTSBERGER, J. G.,
1736–1809, the teacher of Beethoven; REICHA, A. J., 1770–1836;
RICHTER, E. F. E., 1808–1879; CURWEN, J., 1817–1880, inventor of tonic
sol-fa system; BERLIOZ HECTOR, whose text book on instrumentation is
classic. On all these separate articles will be found in the
Britannica.
(3) MUSICAL FORMS
[Sidenote: Contrapuntal Forms]
In making a detailed study of any particular form, reference should be
made to the critical sections of the biographies of those masters who
have done most towards its development. As has been seen in the
historical section of this chapter, the CONTRAPUNTAL FORMS (Vol. 7, p.
41) were the first to attain to a high standard of organization in the
hands of such masters as ORLANDO LASSO (Vol. 16, p. 237) and PALESTRINA
(Vol. 20, p. 627). The articles MASS (Vol. 17, p. 849), MOTET (Vol. 18,
p. 905), MADRIGAL (Vol. 17, p. 295), CANON (Vol. 5, p. 190), CHORALE
(Vol. 6, p. 269), cover the ground of early choral music. In tracing
their development reference should be made to the articles on BACH, J.
S. (Vol. 3, p. 127), BEETHOVEN (Vol. 3, p. 649), BRAHMS (Vol. 4, p.
390). ORATORIO (Vol. 20, p. 161) and CANTATA (Vol. 5, p. 209) had their
beginning in the work of the followers of Monteverde in the early 17th
century, and their development may be traced in the work of CAVALIERE
(Vol. 5, p. 563), CARISSIMI (Vol. 5, p. 338), PURCELL (Vol. 22, p. 658),
BACH (Vol. 3, p. 127), HANDEL (Vol. 2, p. 912), BRAHMS (Vol. 4 p. 390),
CÉSAR FRANCK (Vol. 11, p. 3), and SIR C. HUBERT PARRY (Vol. 20, p. 865).
[Sidenote: Suite and Sonata]
In instrumental music, the SUITE (Vol. 26, p. 51), of which BOCCHERINI
(Vol. 4, p. 105) was the last master, most nearly foreshadowed the
Sonata (SONATA FORMS, Vol. 25, p. 394), and together they tell the tale
of the development of absolute music up to modern experiments in the
more elastic SYMPHONIC POEM (Vol. 26, p. 289) of which LISZT (Vol. 16,
p. 780) was the first to see the possibilities. In addition to the
articles SONATA and SONATA FORMS the reader should carefully study that
part of the article BEETHOVEN beginning on page 647 of Vol. 3; also the
article HARMONY, _Key Relationships_ (Vol. 13, p. 5) which contains
analyses of several striking key systems, and further reference should
also be made to the articles VARIATIONS (Vol. 27, p. 912), SYMPHONY
(Vol. 26, p. 290).
[Sidenote: Programme Music]
To the Romantic movement of the early part of the 19th century may be
traced the attempt to escape from the apparent restrictions of the
Sonata Form, and SCHUMANN’S (Vol. 24, p. 384) many _Fantasie-Stücke_ and
CHOPIN’S lyrical compositions (Vol. 6, p. 268) are prototypes in little
of the tendencies of the time. On a larger canvas are the Ton-dramen of
Liszt and the symphonic poems and the elaborate programme music of
modern composers such as RICHARD STRAUSS (Vol. 25, p. 1003); and though
BRAHMS (Vol. 4, p. 389) showed clearly enough that the classical sonata
form was a framework sufficiently elastic to hold the most elaborate and
modern ideas, the direction in which music has tended is towards the
Symphonic Poem in which, by such devices as the transformation of themes
and the _Leitmotif_ (OPERA, Vol. 20, p. 125) a still greater elasticity
is sought in form with a greater continuity of idea in substance. See
PROGRAMME MUSIC (Vol. 22, p. 424).
[Sidenote: Opera]
Supplementing the article OPERA (Vol. 20, p. 121) are several which
should be consulted. ARIA (Vol. 2, p. 489), OVERTURE (Vol. 20, p. 384),
and especially GLUCK (Vol. 12, p. 139), MOZART (Vol. 18, p. 951), WEBER
(Vol. 28, p. 457), and WAGNER (Vol. 28, p. 237). These, with the
biographical notices of operatic composers, which include almost every
Italian composer from the days of PERI (Vol. 21, p. 144), and French
composers from LULLY (Vol. 17, p. 121), give a mass of information
bearing on the development of this popular form.
[Sidenote: Song]
SONG (Vol. 25, p. 400), the oldest of art forms, and almost the last to
be rescued from the too narrow formalism of which the classical ARIA
(Vol. 2, p. 489) is the beautiful example, is so much the most generally
popular that the article on it in the Britannica will probably be more
widely read than any other on musical subjects. Written by W. A. J.
Ford, a scholarly musician and teacher of singing at the Royal College
of Music (London), it provides a brilliant survey of the evolution of
the song from its earliest beginnings. In connection with it the reader
will find much to interest him in the biographical notices of two famous
troubadours of the 13th and 14th centuries, ADAM DE LA HALE (Vol. 1, p.
171) and MACHAUT, G. DE (Vol. 17, p. 233); of MONTEVERDE (Vol. 18, p.
778), the pioneer of the monodist revolt at the end of the 16th century,
of SCARLATTI, ALESSANDRO (Vol. 24, p. 302), 17th century, who perfected
the aria form, of PURCELL, HENRY (Vol. 22, p. 658), the great English
composer of the 17th century, of JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH (Vol. 3, p. 126)
18th century, of SCHUBERT (Vol. 24, p. 380), the creator of the modern
song, of SCHUMANN (Vol. 24, p. 384) who brought a yet greater intimacy
into the form, of HUGO WOLF (Vol. 28, p. 771), the most clairvoyant of
song writers, of SIR HUBERT PARRY (Vol. 20, p. 865), and SIR CHARLES
VILLIERS STANFORD (Vol. 25, p. 773), who have respectively done the best
modern work in the English and Irish tradition, and of the American
MACDOWELL (Vol. 17, p. 214). Reference should also be made to the
articles MELODY (Vol. 18, p. 96), ACCOMPANIMENT (Vol. 1, p. 122), RHYTHM
(Vol. 23, p. 277). Suggestive also are the articles BALLADS (Vol. 3, p.
264), POETRY (Vol. 21, p. 889). On the technique of singing the article
VOICE (Vol. 28, p. 172) by Dr. J. G. McKendrick, will be found very
helpful, especially the section on the _Physiology of Voice Production_.
(4) MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
One branch of the subject yet remains, that of musical instruments. Here
the editor of the Britannica had the advantage of the assistance of Miss
Kathleen Schlesinger (author of _The Instruments of the Orchestra_, and
the greatest authority on the subject), who contributed practically all
of the articles in the book on musical instruments. A list of them is
given below, classified under their most convenient groupings. From
these articles in the Encyclopaedia Britannica the reader will get a
full account of every known musical instrument whether modern or
ancient, with its compass, and scale, and of its connection with other
instruments of the same class; so that the evolution of every type is
clearly brought out. As a preliminary to a general study of the subject,
the articles ORCHESTRA (Vol. 20, p. 168), and INSTRUMENTATION (Vol. 14,
p. 651) may conveniently be read. In the former Miss Schlesinger gives a
summary of the development of the various classes of instruments and of
their concerted use. In the article INSTRUMENTATION, on the other hand,
Donald Tovey illustrates the _principles_ which govern their use. This
article closes with an interesting survey of the orchestral schemes at
different periods in the history of the art. The following classified
list of separate articles on musical instruments in the Britannica,
shows how very completely this work covers the field:
=Stringed Instruments= (Vol. 25, p. 1038).
_Strings Plucked by Fingers or Plectrum_: ASOR; BALALAIKA; BANJO;
BARBITON; CHELYS; CITHARA; CITOLE; CITTERN; EPIGONION; GUITAR; HARP;
HARP-LUTE; KINNOR; KISSAR; LUTE; LYRE; MANDOLINE; NANGA; PANDURA;
PSALTERY; REBAB; ROTTA; SAMBUCA; THEORBO; TRIGONON; ZITHER. _Strings
Set in Vibration by Friction of the Bow_: CROWD; DOUBLE BASS; FIDDLE;
GEIGE; GUITAR-FIDDLE; GUSLA; NAIL VIOLIN; PHILOMEL; RAVANASTRON;
REBAB; REBEC; TROMBA MARINA; VIELLE; VIOL; VIOLA; VIOLIN; VIOLONCELLO.
_Strings Struck by Hammers or Tangents_: CLAVECIN; CLAVICEMBALO;
CLAVICHORD; CLAVICYTHERIUM; DULCIMER; HARMONICHORD; HARPSICHORD;
PIANOFORTE; SPINET; VIRGINAL. _Strings Set in Vibration by Friction of
a Wheel_: HURDY-GURDY; ORGANISTRUM. _Strings Set in Vibration by the
Wind_: AEOLIAN HARP. _Appliances_: BOW; MONOCHORD; MUTE; MOUTHPIECE;
KEYBOARD; SORDINO.
=Wind Instruments= (mouth blown) (Vol. 28, p. 709.)
_Wood Wind._
_The Pipe Class_: EUNUCH FLUTE; FIFE; FLAGEOLET; FLUTE; NAY; PICCOLO;
PIPE AND TABOR; RECORDER; SYRINX. _Single Reed Class_ (cylindrical
bore): REED INSTRUMENTS; ARGHOUL; AULOS; BASS CLARINET; BASSET HORN;
BATYPHONE; CLARINET; PEDAL CLARINET. _Double Reed Class_ (conical
bore): REED INSTRUMENTS; AULOS; BASSOON; BOMBARD; CONTRAFAGOTTO; COR
ANGLAIS; OBOE; POMMER; SHAWM; CLARINA; HOLZTROMPETE; CROMORNE;
RACKETT; SAXOPHONE; SORDINO; TIBIA. To reed instruments also belong
the _Bagpipe Class_: ASKAULES; BAGPIPE; BINIOU; CHORUS; DRONE;
PLATERSPIEL; SYMPHONIA.
_Brass Wind._
BOMBARDON; BUCCINA; BUGLE; CORNET; EUPHONIUM; HELICON; HORN; LITUUS;
OPHICLEIDE; SACKBUT; SAXHORN; SERPENT; TROMBONE; TRUMPET; TUBA; to
which may be added, though not of brass or metal: ALPENHORN; OLIPHANT;
SHOFAR; see also MOUTHPIECE; MUTE; VALVES.
=Wind Instruments= (mechanically blown).
ACCORDION; BARREL-ORGAN; CONCERTINA; HARMONIUM; ORCHESTRION; ORGAN;
PHYSHARMONICA; PORTATIVE ORGAN; POSITIVE ORGAN; REGAL; to which,
though mouth blown, may be added CHENG. See also FREE REED VIBRATION;
KEYBOARD.
=Instruments of Percussion.=
_Sounding a Sensible Note_: BELL; BUMBULUM; CARILLON; GLOCKENSPIEL;
GONG; HARMONICA; JEWS’ HARP; MUSICAL BOX; PARSIFAL BELL-INSTRUMENT;
XYLOPHONE. _Not Sounding a Sensible Note_: CASTANETS; CYMBALS; CHINESE
PAVILLON; DRUM; KETTLE DRUM; NACAIRE; SISTRUM; TAMBOURINE; TIMBREL;
TOM-TOM; TRIANGLE; TYMPANON.
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