Concert Life in London from Mozart to Haydn [Paperback]

This book is a detailed investigation of a lively and innovative period in London's cultural life.Concerts flourished in London during the second half of the eighteenth century as never before. Enterprising promoters developed subscription series around the new symphony orchestra, and the lucrative environment attracted both Mozart and Haydn, whose last twelve symphonies were written for London. This book is the first detailed investigation of a lively and innovative period in London's cultural life, combining a social study of concert audiences with analysis of their musical tastes and the repertoire they inspired.Concerts flourished in London during the second half of the eighteenth century as never before. Enterprising promoters developed subscription series around the new symphony orchestra, and the lucrative environment attracted both Mozart and Haydn, whose last twelve symphonies were written for London. This book is the first detailed investigation of a lively and innovative period in London's cultural life, combining a social study of concert audiences with analysis of their musical tastes and the repertoire they inspired.Concerts flourished in London during the second half of the eighteenth century as never before. Enterprising promoters developed subscription series around the new symphony orchestra, and the lucrative environment attracted both Mozart and Haydn, whose last twelve symphonies were written for London. This book is the first detailed investigation of a lively and innovative period in London's cultural life, combining a social study of concert audiences with analysis of their musical tastes and the repertoire they inspired.List of illustrations; Preface; Acknowledgments; List of abbreviations; Map of London in the second half of the eighteenth century; 1. Prologue; Part I. The Social Role of the Concert: 2. 'An exclusive principle': subscription and ancient concerts; 3. Other types of concert; 4. The concert in London life; Part II. Attracting lSJ