George Herbert and Early Modern Musical Culture

George Herbert was a priest, poet, and musician in the 17th century. This study examines his roles in the context of his extended family's musico-poetic activities, exploring the secular visual music of the Stuart court masque and the sacred songs of the church. It argues that Herbert's reading of Augustine shaped his musical thought and explores the tension between the abstract ideal of music and its practical performance.

Format: Hardback
Length: 282 pages
Publication date: 01 December 2022
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

George Herbert, the esteemed "sweet singer of The Temple," has garnered widespread recognition as a passionate advocate of music. However, a comprehensive exploration of Herbert's involvement in the musical culture of the seventeenth century has yet to be thoroughly investigated. This groundbreaking study represents the first in-depth critical examination of Herbert's multifaceted roles as a priest, poet, and musician within the broader context of the musical-poetic endeavors of his extended family. Spanning from the song culture surrounding William Herbert and Mary Sidney to the philosophical insights of his eldest brother Edward Herbert of Cherbury, this study delves into the secular visual music of the Stuart court masque and the sacred hymns of the church. By examining Herbert's engagement with Augustine's writings, the study sheds light on how his musical thought was shaped, exploring the interplay between the abstract ideal of music and its practical execution to articulate the distinctive theological perspectives he derived from the musical milieu of his time.

George Herbert, the esteemed "sweet singer of The Temple," has garnered widespread recognition as a passionate advocate of music. However, a comprehensive exploration of Herbert's involvement in the musical culture of the seventeenth century has yet to be thoroughly investigated. This groundbreaking study represents the first in-depth critical examination of Herbert's multifaceted roles as a priest, poet, and musician within the broader context of the musical-poetic endeavors of his extended family. Spanning from the song culture surrounding William Herbert and Mary Sidney to the philosophical insights of his eldest brother Edward Herbert of Cherbury, this study delves into the secular visual music of the Stuart court masque and the sacred hymns of the church. By examining Herbert's engagement with Augustine's writings, the study sheds light on how his musical thought was shaped, exploring the interplay between the abstract ideal of music and its practical execution to articulate the distinctive theological perspectives he derived from the musical milieu of his time.

Weight: 586g
Dimension: 158 x 236 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781009098069