The Pursuit of High Culture: John Ella and Chamber Music in Victorian London (Music in Britain, 1600-1900) (Volume 3)

This monograph investigates the promotion and consumption of high musical culture among leisured society in Victorian London, by focusing on the activities of the concert manager John Ella and his Musical Union (1845-81), an eminent, long-lived institution for chamber music, much fÃÂated across Europe in its day. It combines a biography of Ella with a social-economic history of the Musical Union, its players, repertoire and audiences, and sets them against the gradually shifting contexts for London concerts, chamber music and cultural life. Ella's extraordinary life story, which began in provincial, artisan-class obscurity and ended in the upper echelons of London society, shapes the narrative. Such themes as entrepreneurship, concert management, taste shaping, music appreciation and elite social networks are discussed throughout, as is the curious interplay between the desire to 'sacralize' chamber music, especially Beethoven's, on the one hand, and the need to survive amid the increasing commercial imperatives of London concert life on the other. This monograph investigates the promotion and consumption of high musical culture among leisured society in Victorian London, by focusing on the activities of the concert manager John Ella and his Musical Union.This monograph investigates the promotion and consumption of high musical culture among leisured society in Victorian London, by focusing on the activities of the concert manager John Ella and his Musical Union [1845-81], an eminent, long-lived institution for chamber music, much fêted across Europe in its day. It combines a biography of Ella with a social-economic history of the Musical Union, its players, repertoire and audiences, and sets them against the gradually shifting contexts for London concerts, chamber music and cultural life. Ella's extraordinary life story, which began in provincial, artisan-class obscurity and ended in the upper echelons of London society, shapes thenarrative. Such themes as entrepreneurship, concert management, taste shaping, music appreciation and elite social networks are discussed throughout, as is the curious interplay between the desire to'sacralize'chamber music, especially Beethoven's, on the one hand, and the need to survive amid the increasing commercial imperatives of London concert life on the other. CHRISTINA BASHFORD is Assistant Professor of Musicology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. This Investigation Of The Consumption Of High Musical Culture Among Leisured Society In Victorian London Focuses On The Activities Of The Concert Manager John Ella And His Musical Union (1845-81), An Eminent, Long-lived Institution For Chamber Music, Much Feted Across Europe In Its Day. A Biography Of Ella Is Combined With A Social-economic History Of The Musical Union, Its Players, Repertoire And Audiences, Set Against The Gradually Shifting Contexts For London Concerts, Chamber Music And Cultural Life. Ella's Extraordinary Life Story, Which Began In Provincial, Artisan-class Obscurity And Ended In The Upper Echelons Of London Society, Shapes The Narrative. Such Themes As Entrepreneurship, Concert Management And Promotion, Taste Shaping, Music Appreciation And Elite Social Networks Are Discussed Throughout, As Is The Curious Interplay Between The Desire To 'sacralize' Chamber Music, Especially Beethoven's, On The One Hand, And The Need To Survive Amid The Increasing Commercial Imperatives Of London Concert Life On The Other.--jacket. Christina Bashford. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [377]-380) And Index. This monograph investigates the promotion and consumption of high musical culture among leisured society in Victorian London, by focusing on the activities of the concert manager John Ella and his Musical Union (1845-81), an eminent, long-lived institution for chamber music, much feted across Europe in its day. It combines a biography of Ella with a social-economic history of the Musical Union, its players, repertoire and audiences, and sets them against the gradually shifting contexts for London concerts, chamber music and cultural life. Ella's extraordinary life story, which began in provincial, artisan-class obscurity and ended in the upper echelons of London society, shapes the narrative. Such themes as entrepreneurship, concert management, taste shaping, music appreciation and elite social networks are discussed throughout, as is the curious interplay between the desire to 'sacralize' chamber music, especially Beethoven's, on the one hand, and the need to survive amid the increasing commercial imperatives of London concert life on the other. CONTENTS ......Page 7 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS ......Page 9 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ......Page 10 LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ......Page 12 INTRODUCTION: The Case for Ella......Page 16 1. From Leicester to London, 1802–29......Page 32 2. Successes, Frustrations, Ambitions, 1828–44......Page 71 3. Establishing the Musical Union, 1845–8......Page 130 4. Consolidation and Expansion, 1849–57......Page 179 5. New Spaces, 1858–68......Page 231 6. Adapting to Survive, 1868–79......Page 295 7. Endings (1880–8) and Legacy......Page 347 APPENDIX I: Sample Programmes for the Musical Union and Musical Winter Evenings......Page 372 APPENDIX II: Analysis of Repertoire at the Musical Union and Musical Winter Evenings......Page 376 APPENDIX III: Performers at the Musical Union and Musical Winter Evenings......Page 379 APPENDIX IV: Musical Union Audience Statistics......Page 389 APPENDIX V: Supplementary Notes on John Ella’s Family......Page 390 SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY ......Page 392 INDEX ......Page 396 A very informative book. To read more on the musician John Ella and his family roots: THE HECTOR BERLIOZ WEBSITE: http://www.hberlioz.com/others/RElla.htm Also: To view extra pictures: http://www.leicestershirevillages.com/leicester/gallery.html?user=11653&scope=leicestershire A very informative book. For futher information on the musician John Ella (1802-1888) go to THE HECTOR BERLIOZ WEBSITE: http://www.hberlioz.com/others/RElla.htm Also: http://www.leicestershirevillages.com/leicester/gallery.html?user=11653&scope=leicestershire