The Provincial Music Festival in England, 1784–1914

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Contents: Introduction
Part I Chronological Survey: 1784-1810: a tradition established
1810-1830: the early 19th century festival
1830-1850: the Mendelssohn era
1850-1870: consolidation - the mid-century and beyond
1870-1890: supporting English composers
1890-1914: the shadow of war. Part II Themes and Aspects: Performers, performance practice and the press
Ambience, logistics and finance
Programmes and commissioning
The festival orchestra
The festival chorus
Social history
Postscript: the wider picture
Select bibliography
index.

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A history of the English music festival is long overdue. Dr Pippa Drummond argues that these festivals represented the most significant cultural events in provincial England during the nineteenth century and emphasizes their particular importance in the promotion and commissioning of new music. Drawing on material from surviving accounts, committee records, programmes, contemporary pamphlets and reviews, Drummond shows how the festivals responded to and reflected the changing social and economic conditions of their day. Coverage includes a chronological overview documenting the history of individual festivals followed by a detailed exploration of such topics as performers and performance practice, logistics and finance, programmes and commissioning, together with information concerning the composition and provenance of festival choirs and orchestras. Also discussed are the effects of improved transport and new technologies on the festivals, sacred and secular conflicts, gender issues, the role of philanthropy, the nature of patronage and the changing social status of festival audiences. The book will also be of interest to social, economic and local historians.

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