Selected by New York Times Book Review as a Best Book Since 2000 "With its abundant portfolios of documents and sensitively chosen illustrations, this is the kind of book that has us crying, 'Oh, that we were there!'"--Jonathan Keates, New York Times Book Review This lively book takes us back to the first performances of five famous musical compositions: Monteverdi's Orfeo in 1607, Handel's Messiah in 1742, Beethoven's Ninth Symphony in 1824, Berlioz's Symphonie fantastique in 1830, and Stravinsky's Sacre du ...
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Selected by New York Times Book Review as a Best Book Since 2000 "With its abundant portfolios of documents and sensitively chosen illustrations, this is the kind of book that has us crying, 'Oh, that we were there!'"--Jonathan Keates, New York Times Book Review This lively book takes us back to the first performances of five famous musical compositions: Monteverdi's Orfeo in 1607, Handel's Messiah in 1742, Beethoven's Ninth Symphony in 1824, Berlioz's Symphonie fantastique in 1830, and Stravinsky's Sacre du printemps in 1913. Thomas Forrest Kelly sets the scene for each of these premieres, describing the cities in which they took place, the concert halls, audiences, conductors, and musicians, the sound of the music when it was first performed (often with instruments now extinct), and the popular and critical responses. He explores how performance styles and conditions have changed over the centuries and what music can reveal about the societies that produce it. Kelly tells us, for example, that Handel recruited musicians he didn't know to perform Messiah in a newly built hall in Dublin; that Beethoven's Ninth Symphony was performed with a mixture of professional and amateur musicians after only three rehearsals; and that Berlioz was still buying strings for the violas and mutes for the violins on the day his symphony was first played. Kelly's narrative, which is enhanced by extracts from contemporary letters, press reports, account books, and other sources, as well as by a rich selection of illustrations, gives us a fresh appreciation of these five masterworks, encouraging us to sort out our own late twentieth-century expectations from what is inherent in the music.
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Add this copy of First Nights: Five Musical Premiers to cart. $4.88, like new condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Reno rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Reno, NV, UNITED STATES, published 2001 by Yale University Press.
Add this copy of First Nights: Five Musical Premiers to cart. $4.88, fair condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Atlanta rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Austell, GA, UNITED STATES, published 2001 by Yale University Press.
Add this copy of First Nights: Five Musical Premiers to cart. $5.13, good condition, Sold by Indiana Book Company rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Marion, IN, UNITED STATES, published 2001 by Yale University Press.
Add this copy of First Nights: Five Musical Premiers to cart. $5.13, fair condition, Sold by Indiana Book Company rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Marion, IN, UNITED STATES, published 2001 by Yale University Press.
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Seller's Description:
Acceptable. Book has minor liquid or water damage on pages. Ships same or next business day with delivery confirmation. Acceptable condition. Contains highlighting. Expedited shipping available.
Add this copy of First Nights: Five Musical Premiers to cart. $6.04, fair condition, Sold by BooksRun rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Philadelphia, PA, UNITED STATES, published 2001 by Yale University Press.
Add this copy of First Nights: Five Musical Premiers to cart. $6.09, good condition, Sold by BooksRun rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Philadelphia, PA, UNITED STATES, published 2001 by Yale University Press.
Add this copy of First Nights: Five Musical Premiers to cart. $15.95, very good condition, Sold by Daedalus Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Portland, OR, UNITED STATES, published 2001 by Yale University Press.
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Seller's Description:
Very Good. 0300091052. Light edgewear and surfacewear. Light stain to top edge of back ~15 pages. A nice, bright copy.; B&W Photographs; 7 X 1 X 9.75 inches; 387 pages.
Add this copy of First Nights: Five Musical Premiers to cart. $16.72, like new condition, Sold by Sequitur Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Boonsboro, MD, UNITED STATES, published 2001 by Yale University Press.
Add this copy of First Nights: Five Musical Premieres to cart. $16.99, very good condition, Sold by Brit Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Milton Keynes, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2001 by Yale University Press.
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Very good. Simply Brit – welcome to our online used book store, where affordability meets great quality. Dive into a world of captivating reads without breaking the bank. We take pride in offering a wide selection of used books, from classics to hidden gems, ensuring there's something for every literary palate. All orders are shipped within 24 hours and our lightning fast-delivery within 48 hours coupled with our prompt customer service ensures a smooth journey from ordering to delivery. Discover the joy of reading with us, your trusted source for affordable books that do not compromise on quality.
