Water Music - Making Music in the Spas of Europe and North America

Zusatztext an engaging enough read for any music lover planning to visit one of the sites Bradley writes about Informationen zum Autor Ian Bradley, already known as one of world's leading authorities on and enthusiasts for the works of Gilbert and Sullivan, is also highly active in and maintains a very high profile at summer spa music festivals. He has broadcast regularly on music for the BBC including most recently a documentary transmitted on 25 October 2008 on BBC Radio 3 under the title 'Water Music." He is Vice President of the Arthur Sullivan Society and honorary life president of the St.Andrews University Gilbert and Sullivan Society with whom he has performed several principal bass-baritone roles. He has also acted as consultant to the D'Oyly Carte Company. His abiding passion for operetta and music is fitted into his more serious life as a minister in the Church of Scotland,University Chaplain and Reader in Practical Theology and Church History in the School of Divinity at St. Andrews University. He is the author of more than 30 books. Klappentext Water Music is an ideal read for those who frequent summer music festivals the world over. Many of these festivals began during the cultural heyday of spas and watering places throughout Europe and the United States, when music making was entertainment and therapy for both patrons and composers themselves. In his typical witty and winning style, author Ian Bradley-himself somewhat of a celebrity across the festival world for his expertise and involvement inthe Gilbert & Sullivan operetta phenomenon-tells the story of the many well-known composers who came to these pioneer resorts between the early- eighteenth and the mid-twentieth centuries. Zusammenfassung Many of the most famous composers in classical music spent considerable periods in spa towns! whether taking in the waters! or searching for patrons among the rich and influential clientele who frequented these pioneer resorts! or soaking up the relaxing and decadent ambience of these enchanted and magical places. At Baden bei Wein! Mozart wrote his Ave Verum Corpus! and Beethoven sketched out his Ninth Symphony. Johannes Brahms spent 17 summers in Baden-Baden!where he stayed in his own specially-built composing cavern and consorted with Clara Schumann. Berlioz came to conduct in Baden-Baden for nine seasons! writing his last major work! Beatrice and Benedict! for the town's casino manager. Chopin! Liszt! and Dvorak were each regular visitors to Carlsbadand Marienbad. And it was in Carlsbad that Beethoven met Goethe. Concerts! recitals! and resident orchestras have themselves played a major role in the therapeutic regimes and the social and cultural life of European and North American watering places since the late eighteenth century. To this day! these spa towns continue to host major music festivals of the highest caliber! drawing musicians and loyal audiences on both local and international levels.This book explores the music making that went on in the spas and watering places in Europe and the United States during their heyday between the early- eighteenth and the mid-twentieth centuries. Music was a hugely important part of the experience of taking a spa cure. Bands played during the early morning and late afternoon while people took the waters and bathed. Spa orchestras and ensembles entertained those gathering socially or resting in assembly rooms! pump rooms and in gardens andparks. In the evenings spa guests enjoyed concerts! visits to the theatre! balls! dances and gambling sessions at the casino! at all of which music played a major role. Expert author Ian Bradley draws on original archival material and the diaries and letters of composers. His book ranges chronologically and geographically! beginning with Bath and Baden near Vienna! which both flourished in the eighteenth century! continuing through Baden-Baden! the Bohemian spas and Bad Ischl in the nin...

Product details

• Authors: Bradley, Ian Bradley, Ian C. Bradley
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Release: 02.03.2010, delayed
• EAN: 9780195327342
• ISBN: 978-0-19-532734-2
• No. of pages: 240
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Music > Music theory; Klassik, Barock, 20. Jahrhundert (1900 bis 1999 n. Chr.), Romantik