Music in the Seventeenth Century

Rating:
Summary: An ecclectic set of useful essays on many facets.
Review: The format of this book is a bit different--it is an ecclectic set of useful essays that deal with various facets of the musical situation in the 17th century. While it is heavily weighted towards the musical situation in Italy, there are some chapters that cover developments in other parts of Europe. Given Bianconi's other texts, it should come as no surprise that this text is very opera-centric, and in fact, the author cites the development of opera as the defining feature of this period. While the various essays do not delve into extensive detail, as a whole, they provide a thourgh portrait of the 17th century.

Rating:
Summary: An ecclectic set of useful essays on many facets.
Review: The format of this book is a bit different--it is an ecclectic set of useful essays that deal with various facets of the musical situation in the 17th century. While it is heavily weighted towards the musical situation in Italy, there are some chapters that cover developments in other parts of Europe. Given Bianconi's other texts, it should come as no surprise that this text is very opera-centric, and in fact, the author cites the development of opera as the defining feature of this period. While the various essays do not delve into extensive detail, as a whole, they provide a thourgh portrait of the 17th century.