First Philharmonic: A History of the Royal Philharmonic Society

by Cyril Ehrlich

Overview

Established in 1813, the Royal Philharmonic is the world's second oldest concert society—only Leipzig is senior. Celebrating this venerable institution, First Philharmonic draws on exhaustive research in the Society's archives to tell the colorful and fascinating story and offer valuable insights into the history of concert life.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780198162322
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	06/29/1995
Pages:	316
Product dimensions:	6.44(w) x 9.50(h) x 0.91(d)
Lexile:	1590L (what's this?)

About the Author

Queens University, Belfast (Emeritus)

Table of Contents

	List of Abbreviations	xi
1.	Beginning	1
2.	Beethoven and a Balanced Budget	20
3.	Mendelssohn and Hanover Square	37
4.	Quest for Leadership	57
5.	Conductors	77
6.	Plateau and Descent	93
7.	Collapse	113
8.	Francesco Berger and Recovery	132
9.	Queen's Hall	158
10.	Between Wars	190
11.	Interlude for War	211
12.	Ending and Beginning	221
	Appendices
1.	The Evolution of the Repertoire since 1813	243
2.	Commissions, Dedications, and Probable First Performances	248
3.	Philharmonic Orchestras 1860-1960	267
4.	Honorary Members	283
5.	Gold Medallists	285
	Index	287

Editorial Reviews

"A scrupulously researched, well-written history...Highly recommended for larger collections."—Choice

"There have been earlier histories of the Royal Philharmonic Society, but Professor Ehrlich's is the most comprehensive and readable."—Sunday Telegraph

"His style is engagingly crisp and he enlivens his narrative with numerous cameos, as economical as they are entertaining."—The Times

"Cyril Ehrlich has admirably charted the fortunes, musical and financial, of a venerable institution....the book will reveal itself as a mine of memorable moments. It is attractively produced and conscientiously proof-read."—The Musical Times

"Cyril Ehrlich, doyen of social historians of music, has achieved a remarkable fusion: an entertaining, readable, chronological account packed with lively incident and vivid character sketches that at the same time gives a true picture of the stresses faced by a developing institution over nearly two centuries."—American Historical Review

From the Publisher