The Careers of British Musicians, 1750-1850: A Profession of Artisans

by Deborah Rohr

Overview

The study of the social context of music must consider the day-to-day experiences of its practitioners. This book traces the daily working life and aspirations of British musicians during the sweeping social and economic transformation of Britain from 1750 to 1850. It features working musicians of all types and at all levels—organists, singers, instrumentalists, teachers, composers, and entrepreneurs—and explores their educational background, their conditions of employment, their wages, the systems of patronage that supported them, and their individual perceptions.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521027731
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	11/02/2006
Pages:	248
Product dimensions:	5.98(w) x 8.98(h) x 0.55(d)

About the Author

Deborah Rohr is Associate Professor of Music at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, New York. Her research interests include the social history of music, music and gender, and rhythm in tonal music and she has published in the Journal of Musicological Research.

Table of Contents

List of tables; Acknowledgements; List of abbreviations; Introduction; 1. The social and professional status of musicians in the eighteenth century; 2. Social profile; 3. Patronage; 4. Musical education; 5. Church musicians; 6. Secular musicians: singers; 7. Secular musicians: instrumentalists; 8. Teachers, composers, and entrepreneurs; 9. The fortunes of musicians; 10. The struggle for social and professional status; Epilogue; Appendix; Notes; Bibliography; Index.

Editorial Reviews

'… scholars will welcome its thoroughness, reliability and accessibility … it is hoped that the seeds Dr Rohr has sown will continue to bear fruit.' Eighteenth-Century Music

From the Publisher