A General History of Music: From the Earliest Ages to the Present Period

Charles Burney

doi:10.1017/CBO9780511711237

Charles Burney (1726–1814), was the foremost music historian of his day. The General History, his most famous work, was published in four volumes between 1776 and 1789 and is still of great value today. Burney wanted to write something which would appeal to and inform the musician and the general reader. Research for the History was undertaken during two European tours, in 1770 and 1772, consulting original sources and meeting the great musicians of the time. The resultant work is engaging and elegantly written, offering the reader a fascinating view not only of Burney's own musical preferences and enthusiasms, but also a reflection of contemporary fashionable taste. All four volumes contain generous musical examples, quotations from original sources and an index. The fourth volume, published 1789, is an account of the birth and development of opera and the contemporary music scene in England.

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Contents

Frontmatter
pp i-iv
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Contents
pp v-vi
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Essay on the Euphony, or Sweetness of Languages, and their Fitness for Music
pp 1-12
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CHAP. I - Of the Invention of RECITATIVE, and Eftablishment of the Mujical Drama, or OPERA, in Italy
pp 13-80
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CHAP. II - Rise and Progress of the Sacred Musical Drama, or ORATORIO.
pp 81-122
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CHAP. III - Of the OPERA BUFFA, or Comic-Opera, and INTER-MEZZI, or Musical Interludes, during the Seventeenth Century
pp 123-132
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CHAP. IV - Of CANTATAS, or Narrative Chamber Music
pp 133-179
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CHAP. V - Attempts at DRAMATIC MUSIC in England, previous to the Establishment of the Italian Opera there
pp 180-193
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CHAP. VI - Origin of the ITALIAN OPERA in England, and its Progress there during the Present CenturyPages 194-400
pp 194-400
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Origin of the ITALIAN OPERA in England, and its Progress there during the Present Century Pages 401-532
pp 401-532
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CHAP. VII - Progress of the Musical Drama at VENICE, during the Prefent Century
pp 533-543
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CHAP. VIII - Progress of the Musical Drama at NAPLES, and Account of the eminent Composers and School of Counterpoint in that City
pp 544-572
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CHAP. IX - Opera Composers employed at ROME, and Tracts published in Italy on the Theory and Practice of Music, during the Present Century
pp 573-576
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CHAP. X - Of the Progress of Music in GERMANY, during the Present Century
pp 577-606
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CHAP. XI - Of the Music of FRANCE, during the Present Century
pp 607-630
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CHAP. XII - General State of Music in ENGLAND at our National Theatres, Public Gardens, and Concerts, during the Present Century
pp 631-683
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CONCLUSION
pp 684-686
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CHRONOLOGICAL LIST of the principal BOOKS published on the Subject of Music in England, during the present Century
pp 687-688
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INDEX
pp 689-700
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ERRATA
pp 701-701
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A General History of Music

From the Earliest Ages to the Present Period

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Contents

Frontmatter
pp i-iv

Contents
pp v-vi

Essay on the Euphony, or Sweetness of Languages, and their Fitness for Music
pp 1-12

CHAP. I - Of the Invention of RECITATIVE, and Eftablishment of the Mujical Drama, or OPERA, in Italy
pp 13-80

CHAP. II - Rise and Progress of the Sacred Musical Drama, or ORATORIO.
pp 81-122

CHAP. III - Of the OPERA BUFFA, or Comic-Opera, and INTER-MEZZI, or Musical Interludes, during the Seventeenth Century
pp 123-132

CHAP. IV - Of CANTATAS, or Narrative Chamber Music
pp 133-179

CHAP. V - Attempts at DRAMATIC MUSIC in England, previous to the Establishment of the Italian Opera there
pp 180-193

CHAP. VI - Origin of the ITALIAN OPERA in England, and its Progress there during the Present CenturyPages 194-400
pp 194-400

Origin of the ITALIAN OPERA in England, and its Progress there during the Present Century Pages 401-532
pp 401-532

CHAP. VII - Progress of the Musical Drama at VENICE, during the Prefent Century
pp 533-543

CHAP. VIII - Progress of the Musical Drama at NAPLES, and Account of the eminent Composers and School of Counterpoint in that City
pp 544-572

CHAP. IX - Opera Composers employed at ROME, and Tracts published in Italy on the Theory and Practice of Music, during the Present Century
pp 573-576

CHAP. X - Of the Progress of Music in GERMANY, during the Present Century
pp 577-606

CHAP. XI - Of the Music of FRANCE, during the Present Century
pp 607-630

CHAP. XII - General State of Music in ENGLAND at our National Theatres, Public Gardens, and Concerts, during the Present Century
pp 631-683

CONCLUSION
pp 684-686

CHRONOLOGICAL LIST of the principal BOOKS published on the Subject of Music in England, during the present Century
pp 687-688

INDEX
pp 689-700

ERRATA
pp 701-701

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A General History of Music

From the Earliest Ages to the Present Period

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