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Music and Monarchy
A new history of the British monarchy through it's music, to accompany a BBC series with bestselling royal historian David Starkey.
David Starkey's Music and Monarchy offers us a new history of Britain through music, showing how the Royal Court shaped the musical landscape in ways that speak directly to our national identity. Many of our current musical symbols of nationhood -- from the 'Last Night of the Proms' to football terraces erupting in song -- have their origins in the way the Crown deliberately shaped the national soundtrack.
This is a story of song and power, exploring how Henry VIII subverted the Reformation he started by protecting a sacred choral tradition he loved; how Henry Purcell's music was designed to help make Charles II more palatable to his subjects; how opera in Georgian London is a story of political infighting between the King and his son; and how the coronation of Elizabeth II, and the music of Vaughan Williams, represented the last dramatic moment of Church and State coming together in all its grandeur.
David Starkey's Music and Monarchy offers us a new history of Britain through music, showing how the Royal Court shaped the musical landscape in ways that speak directly to our national identity. Many of our current musical symbols of nationhood -- from the 'Last Night of the Proms' to football terraces erupting in song -- have their origins in the way the Crown deliberately shaped the national soundtrack.
This is a story of song and power, exploring how Henry VIII subverted the Reformation he started by protecting a sacred choral tradition he loved; how Henry Purcell's music was designed to help make Charles II more palatable to his subjects; how opera in Georgian London is a story of political infighting between the King and his son; and how the coronation of Elizabeth II, and the music of Vaughan Williams, represented the last dramatic moment of Church and State coming together in all its grandeur.
384 pages, Hardcover
First published April 23, 2013
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102 people want to read
About the author
David Starkey
133 books464 followersDavid Starkey is one of Britain's foremost historians, renowned for his commanding expertise on the Tudor period and the English monarchy. A Cambridge scholar, he established his academic reputation with rigorous work on the Tudor court, particularly Henry VIII's privy chamber and the role of faction in politics. His major works include Six Wives: The Queens of Henry VIII, Elizabeth: Apprenticeship, and Monarchy: From the Middle Ages to Modernity.
A gifted communicator, Starkey became a familiar television presence through documentaries including David Starkey's Monarchy and Henry VIII: Mind of a Tyrant. His style is unapologetically forthright, combining scholarly rigour with bold interpretive claims that challenge received wisdom. He was appointed CBE in 2007 for services to history.
A gifted communicator, Starkey became a familiar television presence through documentaries including David Starkey's Monarchy and Henry VIII: Mind of a Tyrant. His style is unapologetically forthright, combining scholarly rigour with bold interpretive claims that challenge received wisdom. He was appointed CBE in 2007 for services to history.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
June 17, 2020
As an admirer of music and all things British, “Music & Monarchy” is the perfect combination for me. Even if you’re new to “classical” music and/or English monarchs, this book is a great overview on these subjects.
It’s fascinating to learn how each monarch’s view of music affected the growth, decline, or even preferences of music across their nation. I loved seeing the connections between my favorite composers and the king/queen during their time. Choices made by the British monarchy, intentional or otherwise, have impacted the English/European music that has endured the centuries to reach us today.
It’s fascinating to learn how each monarch’s view of music affected the growth, decline, or even preferences of music across their nation. I loved seeing the connections between my favorite composers and the king/queen during their time. Choices made by the British monarchy, intentional or otherwise, have impacted the English/European music that has endured the centuries to reach us today.
May 21, 2017
A fascinating read!
February 21, 2024
not what I was expecting in terms of focus, but it's still Professor Starkey
November 17, 2016
Well written whizz through the importance of music to monarchy in UK. Not really a specialized look into the music itself, which I was hoping for, but more on various monarchs and their influences on music, and politics. Still, if it wasn't as technical as I was hoping, it was still well written and interesting. 5 stars
October 12, 2015
A somewhat interesting read about how music played its part in the English monarchy. I only wish my great great grandfather had been included as he had played for the Prince of Wales the future King Edward the Seventh.
August 29, 2016
An interesting approach as the author compares the music of a monarch's reign as influenced by politics and the church. Very "dry" for an author who usually makes English history readable and entertaining.
Want to read
July 8, 2013Times 7/7/13
March 26, 2017
Absolutely loved this book! Well written and so informative. As a history buff, I loved the concise information and excellent detail. The story of English monarchy as told through the history of English music is fascinating and looks at the historical events and characters in a different light. Will definitely be rereading this in the future!
Read
April 23, 2018A wonderful book, combining two of my interests of music and the royal households over the centuries.
Each 'movement' as described on the cover, is a different part of history and the kings/queens who ruled in those years and the composers of the day and their music.
Each 'movement' as described on the cover, is a different part of history and the kings/queens who ruled in those years and the composers of the day and their music.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews