Cultivating String Quartets in Beethoven's Vienna

This book is the first detailed contextual study of string quartets in Beethoven's Vienna, at a time when that genre reigned supreme among the different chamber genres. Focusing on a key transition period in the early nineteenth century, which bore witness to fundamental shifts in the 'private' sphere of music-making, it explores the 'cultivation' of string quartets by composers, critics, listeners, performers, publishers and patrons. The book highlights these parties' interactions, ideas and ideals, which were central to defining the unique cultures of chamber music arising at this time. We gain fresh insights into publishing and marketing, performance venues and practices, review culture, listening theories and practices, and composition in early nineteenth-century Vienna. Until now, the unique theatricality of chamber music, and the 'social' nature of its discourse, has been poorly appreciated. Cultivating String Quartets in Beethoven's Vienna addresses this misconception and enriches our understanding of this crucial period of change, in which concert life began and previously 'private' music was moved out onto the stage. NANCY NOVEMBER is Associate Professor in Musicology at the University of Auckland. Table of Contents Introduction Defining Chamber Music in the Early Nineteenth Century Celebrating Haydn, Cultivating Opera Selling String Quartets in Beethoven's Vienna Locating String Quartets in Beethoven's Vienna Early Nineteenth-Century Performance and Criticism Sociability, Showmanship, and Study: 'Quartet Friends' The String Quartet and the Listener Schubert's Song, Beethoven's Theatricality Epilogue: Constructing 'Viennese Chamber Music' Bibliography This Book Is The First Detailed Contextual Study Of String Quartets In Beethoven's Vienna, At A Time When That Genre Reigned Supreme Among The Different Chamber Genres. Focusing On A Key Transition Period In The Early Nineteenth Century, Which Bore Witness To Fundamental Shifts In The 'private' Sphere Of Music-making, It Explores The 'cultivation' Of String Quartets By Composers, Critics, Listeners, Performers, Publishers And Patrons. The Book Highlights These Parties' Interactions, Ideas And Ideals, Which Were Central To Defining The Unique Cultures Of Chamber Music Arising At This Time. We Gain Fresh Insights Into Publishing And Marketing, Performance Venues And Practices, Review Culture, Listening Theories And Practices, And Composition In Early Nineteenth-century Vienna. Until Now, The Unique Theatricality Of Chamber Music, And The 'social' Nature Of Its Discourse, Has Been Poorly Appreciated. Cultivating String Quartets In Beethoven's Vienna Addresses This Misconception And Enriches Our Understanding Of This Crucial Period Of Change, In Which Concert Life Began And Previously 'private' Music Was Moved Out Onto The Stage. Defining Chamber Music In The Early Nineteenth Century -- Celebrating Haydn, Cultivating Opera -- Selling String Quartets In Beethoven's Vienna -- Locating String Quartets In Beethoven's Vienna -- Early Nineteenth-century Performance And Criticism -- Sociability, Showmanship, And Study : Quartet Friends -- The String Quartet And The Listener -- Schubert's Song, Beethoven's Theatricality -- Epilogue : Constructing Viennese Chamber Music. Nancy November. Includes Bibliographical References ([233]-244) And Index. The first detailed contextual study of chamber music in Beethoven's Vienna, at a time when the string quartet reigned supreme among the different chamber genres This book is the first detailed contextual study of string quartets in Beethoven's Vienna, at a time when that genre reigned supreme among the different chamber genres. Focusing on a key transition period in the early nineteenth century, which bore witness to fundamental shifts in the 'private' sphere of music-making, it explores the 'cultivation' of string quartets by composers, critics, listeners, performers, publishers and patrons. The book highlights these parties' interactions, ideas and ideals, which were central to defining the unique cultures of chamber music arising at this time. We gain fresh insights into publishing and marketing, performance venues and practices, review culture, listening theories and practices, and composition in early nineteenth-century Vienna. Until now, the unique theatricality of chamber music, and the 'social' nature of its discourse, has been poorly appreciated. Cultivating String Quartets in Beethoven's Vienna addresses this misconception and enriches our understanding of this crucial period of change, in which concert life began and previously 'private' music was moved out onto the stage. NANCY NOVEMBER is Associate Professor in Musicology at the University of Auckland. "This book is the first detailed contextual study of string quartets in Beethoven's Vienna, at a time when that genre reigned supreme among the different chamber genres. Focusing on a key transition period in the early nineteenth century, which bore witness to fundamental shifts in the 'private' sphere of music-making, it explores the 'cultivation' of string quartets by composers, critics, listeners, performers, publishers and patrons. The book highlights these parties' interactions, ideas and ideals, which were central to defining the unique cultures of chamber music arising at this time. We gain fresh insights into publishing and marketing, performance venues and practices, review culture, listening theories and practices, and composition in early nineteenth-century Vienna. Until now, the unique theatricality of chamber music, and the 'social' nature of its discourse, has been poorly appreciated. Cultivating String Quartets in Beethoven's Vienna addresses this misconception and enriches our understanding of this crucial period of change, in which concert life began and previously 'private' music was moved out onto the stage."--Page 4 de la couverture Frontcover 1 Contents 6 List of Illustrations 7 List of Musical Examples 9 Acknowledgements 11 Introduction 12 1 Defining Chamber Music in the Early Nineteenth Century 17 2 Celebrating Haydn, Cultivating Opera 34 3 Selling String Quartets in Beethoven’s Vienna 71 4 Locating String Quartets in Beethoven’s Vienna 102 5 Early Nineteenth-Century Performance and Criticism 132 6 Sociability, Showmanship, and Study: ‘Quartet Friends’ 158 7 The String Quartet and the Listener 187 8 Schubert’s Song, Beethoven’s Theatricality 209 Epilogue: Constructing ‘Viennese Chamber Music’ 233 Bibliography 244 Index 256