Performer's Guide to Music of the Romantic Period

by Anthony Burton

The latest thinking on stylish performance presented in a clear, helpful and practical way. Includes chapters from leading experts on historical background, notation and interpretation, with specialist advice for keyboard, string and wind players, and singers. Book comes with a full-length CD of excerpts from authoritative recordings.

Genres: Music, History

120 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2007

About the author

Born in 1934 Anthony Burton is an author and broadcaster who specialises mostly in industrial and transport history since his first book in the area, The Canal Builders, was published in 1972. As well as canals, railways and other forms of transport, his interests also include the countryside and landscape history.

Reviews

[Fiona · Rating 4 out of 5]

The third book in the ABRSM performer’s guide series, this is a primer on how music of the romantic period might have been approached at the time, as well as describing technical developments in the instruments of the time that affect performance.

I found this to be an informative introduction, although it was quite dry in places. It also assumed too much prior knowledge given that the introduction implored you to read the chapters beyond your instrument! The commentary on how modern recordings have affected romantic performance was especially interesting. Very useful as a general overview with sections on different instrument families. Perhaps less so if your interest is in one instrument, as the detail might not be there.

[Richard Pohl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very satisfied again, the excerpts used for illuminating the points are very useful even for my own classroom and I thouroughly enjoy the accompanying recording samples, too! The chapters on notations and sources are again among those recommended to anyone.