Tune

by Imogen Holst

Imogen Holst's Tune (Faber, 1962) is a searching enquiry into the invention of tune and at the same time a comprehensive anthology of tunes from folksong to the present day. Plainsong, street-cries, the songs of the English lutenists, Bach's dances, and Mozart's arias - whatever the origins and character of the tunes in question, Imogen Holst (daughter of the composer, Gustav Holst) has something fresh and revealing to say about them. And she does not confine herself to familiar ground. One of her most illuminating chapters is devoted to the music of India, where a raga can provide improvised 'tune' of several hours duration. This chapter is the result of her personal experience of studying music in India, and it is typical of her vivid approach to the subject. Her book is for everyone who likes to sing, play, whistle, hum or listen to a good tune.

Genres: Music

180 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1962

About the author

Imogen Clare Holst CBE (12 April 1907 – 9 March 1984) was a British composer, arranger, conductor, teacher, musicologist and festival administrator; and the only child of the composer Gustav Holst.

She is particularly known for her educational work at Dartington Hall in the 1940s, and for her 20 years as joint artistic director of the Aldeburgh Festival.

In addition to composing music, she wrote composer biographies, much educational material and several books on the life and works of her father.

Reviews

[Felix George Elliott · Rating 2 out of 5]

not to shade imogen holst, shes a v cool composer, but just qu a dead book, not gunna lie. too many quotations of scores, a fair amount of over-generalising but then sometimes some bafflingly technical prose that a non-musician would probs struggle to wade through.
the chapter on indian raga was by far the most interesting , but unfortunately u can probably imagine the . Tone of voice in which it was written

[Julian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Strong thread linking a concept of tune apart from melody in music til the 20th century, but I feel after that point her conclusions were heavy-handed and not well supported by her own evidence. Still absolutely worth reading for the chase through history in search of the elusive meaning of "tune".