Much English music from the 1890s through the 1950s stands out for its intensive diatonicism: a studied avoidance of chromaticism and an elaboration of the expressive possibilities of purely diatonic writing. This music attempted to convey metaphysical thoughts, elevated feelings, eternity, and at times mysticism and ecstasy. English Diatonic Music 1887-1955 explores this unique stylistic movement, drawing on recent approaches in music theory and analysis and illustrating the argument with key representative musical ... Read More
Much English music from the 1890s through the 1950s stands out for its intensive diatonicism: a studied avoidance of chromaticism and an elaboration of the expressive possibilities of purely diatonic writing. This music attempted to convey metaphysical thoughts, elevated feelings, eternity, and at times mysticism and ecstasy. English Diatonic Music 1887-1955 explores this unique stylistic movement, drawing on recent approaches in music theory and analysis and illustrating the argument with key representative musical examples. Through this analysis, author Matthew Riley offers a new perspective on the repertory. This book advances a new conception and undertakes an historical remapping of early twentieth-century English music. Incorporating both music theory and music history, Riley evaluates the importance of syntactic and stylistic conventions in this era, in particular topic and schema. His position is anti-idealist in an analytical sense and anti-modernist in an intellectual sense, elevating the importance of convention and positioning composition as a craft above all. The book develops an alternative perspective to those in the existing broad surveys of the repertory and treats English diatonic music as primarily a post-Victorian modernity with remarkable consistency of vocabulary across the decades. It was the outcome of a coherent late-Victorian musical reform movement that worked against perceived sentimentality. Intensive diatonicism can be heard in many canonical compositions that are frequently performed and recorded, but its scope is much wider too, encompassing orchestral and choral-orchestral works, chamber music, solo song, music for the Anglican liturgy, opera, and commissions for coronations, festivals, and BBC projects. Many of the book's wider arguments and approaches are concerned with clearing out the misconceptions arising from over-emphasis on folksong and the Tudor revival and the confusion of diatonicism and pastoralism. Read Less
Add this copy of English Diatonic Music 1887â1955 to cart. $116.58, new condition, Sold by GreatBookPricesUK5 rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Castle Donington, DERBYSHIRE, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2025 by Oxford University Press Inc.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
New. Contains: Unspecified. Includes unspecified. Intended for professional and scholarly audience. In Stock. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition, allow 4-14 business days for standard shipping. To Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorate, P.O. box, and APO/FPO addresses allow 4-28 business days for Standard shipping. No expedited shipping. All orders placed with expedited shipping will be cancelled. Over 3, 000, 000 happy customers.
Add this copy of English Diatonic Music 1887â1955 to cart. $116.75, new condition, Sold by Books2anywhere rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Fairford, GLOUCESTERSHIRE, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2025 by Oxford University Press.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
PLEASE NOTE, WE DO NOT SHIP TO DENMARK. New Book. Shipped from UK in 4 to 14 days. Established seller since 2000. Please note we cannot offer an expedited shipping service from the UK.
Add this copy of English Diatonic Music 1887â1955 to cart. $139.97, new condition, Sold by Booksplease rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Southport, MERSEYSIDE, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2025 by Oxford University Press Inc.
Add this copy of English Diatonic Music 1887â1955 to cart. $135.77, new condition, Sold by Paperbackshop rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Bensenville, IL, UNITED STATES, published 2025 by Oxford University Press.
Add this copy of English Diatonic Music 1887â1955 to cart. $146.15, new condition, Sold by Ingram Customer Returns Center rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from NV, USA, published 2025 by Oxford University Press Inc.
Add this copy of English Diatonic Music 1887â1955 to cart. $135.76, new condition, Sold by GreatBookPrices rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Columbia, MD, UNITED STATES, published 2025 by Oxford University Press Inc.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
New. Contains: Unspecified. Includes unspecified. Intended for professional and scholarly audience. In Stock. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition, allow 4-14 business days for standard shipping. To Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorate, P.O. box, and APO/FPO addresses allow 4-28 business days for Standard shipping. No expedited shipping. All orders placed with expedited shipping will be cancelled. Over 3, 000, 000 happy customers.
