The Symphonic Poem in Britain 1850-1950 aims to raise the status of the genre generally and in Britain specifically. The volume reaffirms British composers' confidence in dealing with literary texts and takes advantage of the contributors' interdisciplinary expertise by situating discussions of the tone poem in Britain in a variety of historical, analytical and cultural contexts.
This book highlights some of the continental models that influenced British composers, and identifies a range of issues related to perceptions of the genre. Richard Strauss became an important figure in Britain during this time, not only in terms of the clear impact of his tone poems, but the debates over their value and even their ethics. A focus on French orchestral music in Britain represents a welcome addition to scholarly debate, and links to issues in several other chapters.
The historical development of the genre, the impact of compositional models, issues highlighted in critical reception as well as programming strategies all contribute to a richer understanding of the symphonic poem in Britain. Works by British composers discussed in more detail include William Wallace's Villon (1909), Gustav Holst's Beni Mora (1909-10), Hubert Parry's From Death to Life (1914), John Ireland's Mai-Dun (1921), and Frank Bridge's orchestral 'poems' (1903-15).
The Symphonic Poem in Britain 1850-1950 aims to raise the status of the genre generally, and in Britain specifically, by reaffirming British composers' confidence in dealing with literary texts.
Arvustused
[ A] landmark contribution to both symphonic poem and broader British music areas of study. Every single chapter within presents important research and offers keen insights into its corresponding topic. This is all the work of skilled and experienced scholars, and it shows. . . . In the likely event that any other scholarship relating to the symphonic poem in Britain is to be published, it will almost certainly owe something to this fantastic collection. -- Ryan Ross * NABMSA Reviews *
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vii | |
| Contributors |
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xi | |
| Acknowledgements |
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xv | |
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xvi | |
| Introduction: The Symphonic Poem in Britain Michael Allis and Paul Watt |
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1 | (14) |
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1 Narrative and Formal Plasticity in the British Symphonic Poem, 1850-1950 |
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15 | (40) |
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2 The Symphonic Poem and British Music Criticism |
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55 | (25) |
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3 Richard Strausss Tone Poems in Britain, 1890-1950 |
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80 | (35) |
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4 French Connections: Debussy and Ravel's Orchestral Music in Britain from Prelude a I'apres-midi d'unfaune to Bolero |
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115 | (32) |
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5 The Rise of the Symphonic Poem in Glasgow, 1879-1916 A Documentary History |
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147 | (34) |
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6 A curious intricate work of the modern, but not the ultra-modern, school': William Wallaces Villon |
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181 | (38) |
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7 Gustav Hoist's Beni Mora and the Orientalist Imagination |
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219 | (26) |
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8 Symphonic Poetry, 1914: Parry's From Death To Life |
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245 | (33) |
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9 John Ireland's Mai-Dun: Composite Influences |
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278 | (27) |
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10 Frank Bridge: Poems of Re-enchantment |
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305 | (26) |
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| Select Bibliography |
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331 | (18) |
| Index |
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349 | |
PAUL WATT is Adjunct Professor of Musicology in The University of Adelaide. He is the author of Ernest Newman: A Critical Biography (The Boydell Press, 2017) and editor of The Symphonic Poem in Britain, 1850-1950 (with Michael Allis) (The Boydell Press, 2020). BARBARA L. KELLY is Professor of Music, University of Leeds JEREMY DIBBLE is an Emeritus Professor of Music at Durham University where he taught for 30 years. He is the author of C. Hubert H. Parry: His Life and Music (1998), Charles Villers Stanford: Man and Musician (original edition, 2002), Michele Esposito (2010). With the Boydell Press, Dibble has published John Stainer: A Life in Music (2007), Hamilton Harty: Musical Polymath (2013), British Musical Criticism and Intellectual Thought, 1850-1950 (2018) (with Julian Horton) and The Music of Frederick Delius (2021). PAUL WATT is Adjunct Professor of Musicology in The University of Adelaide. He is the author of Ernest Newman: A Critical Biography (The Boydell Press, 2017) and editor of The Symphonic Poem in Britain, 1850-1950 (with Michael Allis) (The Boydell Press, 2020).
