Samuel Wesley (1766-1837) was the son of the hymn-writer Charles Wesley and the nephew of John Wesley, the founder of Methodism. He was one of the leading composers in late eighteenth- and early nineteenth-century England, and the finest organist of his day. He was also a misfit and a rebel, renowned for his outspoken views, his frequently wild behavior, and his irregular personal life. His music has become increasingly well known in recent years, and these letters to his friends and fellow musicians, over 400 of which are gathered together here for the first time, present both a witty, perceptive, and unparalleled portrait of Wesley the man, and an insiders view of life in the music profession in London in the early nineteenth-century.
Hailed as a child prodigy and later acclaimed as England's finest extempore organist, Samuel Wesley - son of Charles Wesley and nephew of John Wesley, the founders of Methodism - is best known today for his musical compositions and for his promotion of the music of J. S. Bach. At the heart of this source book is a calendar of Samuel Wesley's correspondence. The editors date and summarise the content of over 1100 surviving letters and other documents, most of which have not previously been published. The book accordingly reveals considerable new information about Wesley and his complex personal affairs, including his incarceration for debt and his confinement in a lunatic asylum for a year. Many details are provided about London musical life in the era from Boyce to Mendelssohn that prior scholars have not taken into account. The book also presents a chronology of Wesley's life, a descriptive list of his nearly 550 musical and literary works, a discography, an iconography and a bibliography. It therefore is the most comprehensive available reference source for Wesley's life, times and music.
Hailed as a child prodigy and later acclaimed as England's finest extempore organist, Samuel Wesley - son of Charles Wesley and nephew of John Wesley, the founders of Methodism - is best known today for his musical compositions and for his promotion of the music of J. S. Bach. At the heart of this source book is a calendar of Samuel Wesley's correspondence. The editors date and summarise the content of over 1100 surviving letters and other documents, most of which have not previously been published. The book accordingly reveals considerable new information about Wesley and his complex personal affairs, including his incarceration for debt and his confinement in a lunatic asylum for a year. Many details are provided about London musical life in the era from Boyce to Mendelssohn that prior scholars have not taken into account. The book also presents a chronology of Wesley's life, a descriptive list of his nearly 550 musical and literary works, a discography, an iconography and a bibliography. It therefore is the most comprehensive available reference source for Wesley's life, times and music.
This book draws on letters, family papers, and other contemporary documents to offer a full study of Wesley, his music, and his life and times."--Jacket.
A German composer, organist, harpsichordist, violist, and violinist of the Baroque era, Johann Sebastian Bach is now generally regarded as one of the greatest composers of all time. Celebrated as the creator of the ‘Brandenburg Concertos’, ‘The Well-Tempered Clavier’, the ‘Mass in B Minor’ and countless other masterpieces of church and instrumental music, Bach’s sublime skill was his ability to adapt and perfect the principal styles and forms of previous generations. Delphi’s Great Composers Series offers concise illustrated guides to the life and works of our greatest composers. Analysing the masterworks of each composer, these interactive eBooks include links to popular streaming services, allowing you to listen to the pieces of music you are reading about. Evaluating the masterworks of each composer, you will explore the development of their works, tracing how they changed the course of music history. Whether a classical novice or a cultivated connoisseur, this series offers an intriguing overview of the world’s most famous and iconic compositions. This volume presents Bach’s masterworks in succinct detail, with informative introductions, accompanying illustrations and the usual Delphi bonus features. (Version 1) * Concise and informative overview of Bach’s masterworks * Learn about the classical pieces that made Bach a celebrated composer * Links to popular streaming services (free and paid), allowing you to listen to the masterpieces you are reading about * Features a special ‘Complete Compositions’ section, with an index of Bach’s complete works and links to popular streaming services * Includes six biographies - explore Bach's intriguing musical and personal life Please visit www.delphiclassics.com to browse through our range of exciting eBooks CONTENTS: The Masterworks Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, BWV 565 Violin Concerto No. 2 in E Major, BWV 1042 Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major, BWV 1007 Brandenburg Concerto No. 1 in F Major, BWV 1046 The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 1, BWV 846 Concerto for Two Violins in D Minor, BWV 1043 Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben, BWV 147 Violin Concerto in A Minor, BWV 1041 Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied, BWV 225 St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D Major, BWV 1068 Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, BWV 140 Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248 Concerto for Violin and Oboe in C Minor, BWV 1060R Harpsichord Concerto No. 4, BWV 1055 Goldberg Variations, BWV 988 Great Eighteen Chorale Preludes, BWV 651-668 Mass in B Minor, BWV 232 Complete Compositions Index of Bach’s Compositions The Biographies Johann Sebastian Bach: His Life, Art, and Work by Johann Nikolaus Forkel Bach by Reginald Lane Poole Bach by C. F. Abdy Williams The Culmination of German Protestant Music: Johann Sebastian Bach by Edward Dickinson John Sebastian Bach by Harriette Brower Johann Sebastian Bach by Louis C. Elson Please visit www.delphiclassics.com to learn more about our wide range of exciting titles
Johann Nikolaus Forkel's 'Johann Sebastian Bach: His Life, Art, and Work' is an in-depth exploration of the life and music of one of the greatest composers in history. Forkel delves into Bach's compositions, highlighting his groundbreaking innovations in music theory and the profound emotional depth of his work. The book not only provides a close analysis of Bach's musical style but also offers a comprehensive look at his personal life and the historical context in which he lived and worked. Forkel's writing is both scholarly and accessible, making it a valuable resource for music enthusiasts and scholars alike. With detailed discussions of Bach's most famous works and insightful commentary on his legacy, this book serves as a definitive study of the composer's lasting impact on music history. Johann Nikolaus Forkel, a respected musicologist and biographer, was uniquely positioned to write about Bach, having been a contemporary of many of Bach's students and colleagues. As the first biographer of Bach, Forkel's work laid the foundation for future scholars to explore the life and music of the renowned composer. His passion for music and meticulous research shine through in this seminal work. For anyone interested in delving deeper into the life and music of Johann Sebastian Bach, Johann Nikolaus Forkel's 'Johann Sebastian Bach: His Life, Art, and Work' is an essential read. This comprehensive study offers a rich exploration of Bach's genius, providing valuable insights into the mind of a musical master.
