Child Composers and Their Works: A Historical Survey

by Barry Cooper

Overview

In Child Composers and Their Works: A Historical Survey, Barry Cooper examines over 100 composers born before 1900 who wrote substantial musical works before age 16. The book provides a general overview of the subject, examining the ways and identifying possible reasons these works have been marginalized in the general literature. The book also contains an annotated checklist of over 100 notable child composers, presenting a valuable and handy reference of these creators and their early works.

The annotated checklist presents a chronological listing of child composers born before 1900 and features a descriptive list of what they wrote, often including analytical commentary and offering occasional music examples for illustration. The list also includes a select catalog of works, suggestions for further reading, and recordings when available. Complete with a bibliography and an index of composers, this resource is invaluable to scholars and historians.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780810869110
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	06/03/2009
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	6.20(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Barry Cooper is professor of music at the University of Manchester. He is the author of Beethoven and the Creative Process (1990) and Beethoven (Master Musicians) (2008).

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations v

Preface vii

Part 1 Overview 1

1 Introduction: A Virgin Field 3

2 Chronological Resume from the Middle Ages to the Present Day 11

3 The Marginalization of Children's Compositions of the Past 25

4 Competence and Originality 45

5 Common Characteristics of Child Composers 53

Part 2 Annotated Checklist of Notable Child Composers 75

6 Composers Born before 1700 77

7 Composers Born between 1700 and 1800 85

8 Composers Born between 1801 and 1850 119

9 Composers Born between 1851 and 1900 155

Bibliography 197

Composer Index 209

About the Author 215

Editorial Reviews

This work is an essential purchase for all larger public and academic librarians.

American Reference Books Annual

Cooper reveals that study of this subject can illuminate broader issues of interest to those involved in the study of children more generally. Recommended.

Choice Reviews

Barry Cooper is a prominent scholar and prolific writer about Beethoven and other musical subjects. Here he explores a relatively untouched and somewhat marginalized area: music written by children younger than 16....Includres bibliography and composer index.

The Beethoven Journal

This volume is an attempt to fill an enormous void in historical musicology studies: the works of child composers. The author in his introduction is quite detailed and precise about what he feels this “virgin field” is. He is not talking about music written by adults for children, or children’s music concerned with pedagogy in the classroom. The purpose of this book is to provide preliminary research for more extensive studies of musical compositions written by children in the past.

International Association of Music Libraries

A lofty undertaking? Certainly. But one that must happen if we are to move beyond the barriers that Brooks has so ably shown exist in understanding the value of music by one such undersung group-children. And by hearing-and patiently working to understand-the voices of the voiceless we will experience the truth richness of the human life cycle, from beginning to end.

Wosu Public Media Weblog

Cooper reveals that study of this subject can illuminate broader issues of interest to those involved in the study of children more generally. Recommended.

Choice

A lofty undertaking? Certainly. But one that must happen if we are to move beyond the barriers that Brooks has so ably shown exist in understanding the value of music by one such undersung group-children. And by hearing-and patiently working to understand-the voices of the voiceless we will experience the truth richness of the human life cycle, from beginning to end.--Wosu Public Media Weblog

Barry Cooper is a prominent scholar and prolific writer about Beethoven and other musical subjects. Here he explores a relatively untouched and somewhat marginalized area: music written by children younger than 16....Includres bibliography and composer index.--The Beethoven Journal

This work is an essential purchase for all larger public and academic librarians.--American Reference Books Annual

From the Publisher

Cooper reveals that study of this subject can illuminate broader issues of interest to those involved in the study of children more generally. Recommended.

CHOICE

This work is an essential purchase for all larger public and academic librarians.

American Reference Books Annual (ARBA)