Musical History, Biography, and Criticism Being a General Survey of Music, from the Earliest Period to the Present Time Cambridge Library Collection - Music Series

George Hogarth (1783?1870), music critic and journalist, is also remembered as a friend of Sir Walter Scott and the father-in-law of Charles Dickens. His lengthy writing career included posts as music critic with The Harmonicon, the Morning Chronicle (where he first met Dickens), the Evening Chronicle (which he co-edited), and the Daily News. He also served as music critic for The Illustrated London News and was secretary to the Philharmonic Society between 1850 and 1864. His account of the first fifty years of the Society has also been reissued in this series. The present work, first published in 1835, is his lively history of music from ancient to modern times, aimed squarely at the general reader. It is couched in 'simple and perspicuous language, avoiding technical phraseology and abstruse discussions'. The final chapter presents an invaluable first-hand account of contemporary music and musical life in England.

Preface; 1. The music of the ancients; 2. The progress of music during the middle ages; 3. Music in Italy during the seventeenth century; 4. Music in Germany and France during the seventeenth century; 5. Music in England in the seventeenth century; 6. Purcell; 7. The violin; 8. The Italian opera in England; 9. Music in Italy during the eighteenth century; 10. Music in Italy during the eighteenth century (cont.); 11. Music in Germany during the eighteenth century; 12. Music in Germany during the eighteenth century (cont.); 13. Music in Germany during the eighteenth century (cont.); 14. The music of the Reformed church; 15. Composers of English sacred music; 16. Composers for the English stage during the eighteenth century; 17. Music in Germany in the present century; 18. Music in Germany in the present century (cont.); 19. Living German musicians; 20. Music in Italy during the present century; 21. Music in France during the last and present centuries; 22. The English glee; 23. Present state of music in England.