The English Musical Renaissance and the Press 1850-1914

The second half of the nineteenth-century witnessed a significant revival of interest in English music. Meirion Hughes argues that this 'English Musical Renaissance' could not have happened without the pivotal support of British music journalists who championed the idea of a national music.

Meirion Hughes, a freelance historian, co-authored (with R.A. Stradling) The English Musical Renaissance 1860-1940: Construction and Deconstruction (1993), a volume which has appeared in a revised edition as The English Musical Renaissance 1840-1940: Constructing a National Music (2001). He contributed essays on Elgar to Music and the Politics of Culture (1989), on Rossini to Conflict and Coexistence (1997), and has written and presented several broadcasts for BBC Radio 3.

Contents: Introduction; Part 1: Watchmen and Watchtowers: I.The Times: J.W. Davison: 'musical politician'; Francis Hueffer: stranger as sentinel; J.A. Fuller Maitland: 'doorkeeper of music'; H.C. Colles; 2.The Daily Telegraph: Joseph Bennet: 'patriarch and head of the profession'; Robin Legge; 3. The Athenaeum: Henry F. Chorley: critic as patron; Campbell Clarke; Charles Gruneisen; Ebenezer Prout and Henry Frost; John Shedlock; 4. The Musical Times: J. Alfred Novello: a look-out for profit; Henry Lunn takes command; W.A. Barrett and E.F. Jacques; Frederick G. Edwards; W.G. McNaught; Part 2: The Watched: 5. Sullivan - 'Jumbo of the moment': Lost leader?; 'Risking comparison with great men'; 'A love of the stage'; 6. Parry - 'English master': 'Wild oats'; 'Legitimate husbandry'; 7. Elgar - 'self-made' composer: 'A local musician'; Passing the rubicon; 'Man of the hour'; Conclusion; Appendices; Bibliography; Index.