Synopses & Reviews
Monteverdi's Vespers is an exceptional collection of sacred music, both in the inventiveness of the compositions that it contains and in the debate that it has provoked over its use in the seventeenth century and over Monteverdi's intentions in publishing it. This handbook provides all the information that the reader needs for an in-depth appreciation of the musical settings themselves, of the debate that surrounds the original intention of the volume and of the problems of performing the music today. The book includes the texts and plainsongs used by Monteverdi, and a discography.
Review
'John Whenham approaches his task with an appropriately passionate sobriety, his impeccable scholarship presents all the evidence ... his speculations always command respect.' The Musical Times
Review
'John Whenham gives an amazingly full, instructive and inspirational picture of The Vespers; this is something that can rarely be said of most manuals - this one, however, is the exception.' Canor
Synopsis
A guide to Monteverdi's Vespers, providing in-depth information on music settings and performance practice.
Synopsis
A guide to Monteverdiâs Vespers, providing all the information the reader needs for an in-depth appreciation of the music settings, the debate surrounding the intention of the volume, and the problems of performance nowadays.
Description
Discography: p. 134-136. Includes bibliographical references (p. 130-133) and index.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements; List of abbreviations; 1. Introduction; 2. The 1610 settings and the liturgy of Vespers; 3. The 1610 print and Monteverdi's career; 4. 'Suited to the chapels or chambers of princes'; 5. 'And all on a cantus firmus'; 6. Issues of performance; Appendices; Notes; Select bibliography; Discography; Index.