Light music in Britain since 1870 : a survey / Geoffrey Self.
| Author/creator |
Self, Geoffrey |
| Format | Book and Print |
| Publication Info | Aldershot, Hants, England ; Burlington, Vt., U.S.A. : Ashgate, ©2001. |
| Description | xi, 250 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm |
| Subject(s) |
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| Contents | Roots and reasons -- Sullivan and the dilemma -- Down into the market-place: Sullivan's followers -- Music-hall songs: a social mirror -- Theatre music -- Balladry -- Instrumental music (1): the founding generation -- Patriotism and war (1): 1914-1918 -- The 1920s -- Instrumental music (2): the second wave -- Piano music -- Sweet singing in the choir -- The 1930s -- Instrumental music (3): the post-World War 1 generation -- Patriotism and war (2): 1938-1945 -- The post-war years: 1945-1960 -- The 1960s to the present day. |
| Abstract | In many ways the history of British light music knits together the social and economic history of the country with that of its general musical heritage. Numerous 'serious' composers from Elgar to Britten composed light music, and the genre adapted itself to incorporate the changing fashions heralded by the rise and fall of music hall, the drawing room ballad, ragtime, jazz and the revue. From the 1950s the recording and broadcasting industries provided a new home for light music as an accompaniment to radio programmes and films. The author deftly handles a wealth of information to illustrate the immense role that light music has played in British culture over the last 130 years. His insightful assessments of the best and the most shameful examples of the genre help to pinpoint its enduring qualities; qualities which enable it to maintain a presence in the face of today's domination by commercial popular music. |
| Bibliography note | Includes bibliographical references (pages 222-224) and indexes. |
| LCCN | 00038572 |
| ISBN | 1859283373 (alk. paper) |
Available Items
| Library | Location | Call Number | Status | Item Actions | |
| Music | Music Stacks | ML285 .S45 2000 | ✔ Available | Place Hold |