Historical Dictionary of Baroque Music
By (author) Joseph P. Swain
Publication date:
06 June 2013Length of book:
394 pagesPublisher
Scarecrow PressDimensions:
235x160mm6x9"
ISBN-13: 9780810878242
Although it lies far back, running roughly from about 1600 to 1750, the Baroque period is far from forgotten and Baroque music is played widely today as well, exercising numerous musicians and attracting rather substantial audiences. It experienced the emergence of a new sort of music, increasingly secular and increasingly good listening, if you will, and also the start of opera. Some of the Baroque composers appear among the most popular of all time, such as Bach, Handel and Vivaldi. So yes, this is a book for researchers, but it is also a good book for anyone who enjoys this music.
The Historical Dictionary of Baroque Music certainly fills a significant space in the whole sub-series on music, since it tells us much more not only about the music but also the age that generated it. This is done particularly well in an insightful introduction, with the flow of events traced by the chronology. The dictionary section fills in the missing details with over 400 entries on the most important composers and musicians, some of the musical works themselves, important places and institutions, and a smattering of technical terms. The bibliography directs us to further reading.
The Historical Dictionary of Baroque Music certainly fills a significant space in the whole sub-series on music, since it tells us much more not only about the music but also the age that generated it. This is done particularly well in an insightful introduction, with the flow of events traced by the chronology. The dictionary section fills in the missing details with over 400 entries on the most important composers and musicians, some of the musical works themselves, important places and institutions, and a smattering of technical terms. The bibliography directs us to further reading.
As a longtime teacher and director of early music, Swain undoubtedly knows his subject matter. The 400-plus brief entries in this dictionary, ranging from one sentence to two pages, cover the European baroque era, 1600-1750. Approximately half focus on historical individuals, primarily composers, and another fifth deal with genres of composition such as cantatas. About 50 entries define period terms, although the author assumes readers will have a basic musical knowledge. The remaining entries are a mixture of institutions, works, places, and instruments. Numerous cross-references are boldfaced throughout, with some see also references appended to entries. Additionally, Swain includes a baroque chronology for the 1526 to 1920 period, a 19-page overview essay, and a 44-page unannotated secondary bibliography. Perhaps the only drawback to this otherwise well-done volume is the paucity of illustrations. Although most of the definitions and biographies here are found in a combination of general reference works--ranging from The Oxford Dictionary of Music, edited by T. Rutherford-Johnson, M. Kennedy, and J. Kennedy (6th ed., 2012), to The Harvard Dictionary of Music, edited by D. M. Randel --Swain's single-volume compendium is handy for students of the era. Summing Up: Recommended. All comprehensive academic music collections supporting graduate students and above.