Instrumental Music in an Age of Sociability: Haydn, Mozart and Friends

W. Dean Sutcliffe's book explores the communicative rationales behind later eighteenth-century instrumental style, dividing sociability into technical and affective realms and examining the reception of Haydn's music.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 612 pages
Publication date: 16 February 2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Sociability holds significant importance within the realm of eighteenth-century studies, yet it has not achieved a prominent position in music scholarship. The associations that sociability evokes often clash with the later emphasis on individual expression. W. Dean Sutcliffe challenges us to reassess the communicative rationales underlying the later eighteenth-century instrumental style. Adopting a behavioral perspective, he categorizes sociability into two domains: technical and affective. This entails a meticulous examination of both recurring musical patterns and the most distinctive expressive qualities of the style. The book encompasses a wide range of instrumental compositions from the era, with Joseph Haydn serving as a pivotal figure. Embedded within this comprehensive analysis is a close reading of various works, accompanied by a broader exploration of their reception.

Sociability, as a key term of reference in eighteenth-century studies, holds significant importance within the realm of music scholarship. However, it has not yet established a strong presence, particularly in terms of its profile. While sociability encompasses various associations, many of them do not align comfortably with the later imperative of individual expression. In order to address this challenge, W. Dean Sutcliffe invites us to confront the task of re-evaluating the communicative rationales that underpinned the later eighteenth-century instrumental style. Taking a behavioral perspective, Sutcliffe divides sociability into two realms: technical and affective. This approach involves a close attention to both specific recurring musical patterns and the most salient expressive attributes of the style.

The book by Sutcliffe addresses a broad span of instrumental production during the eighteenth century, with Joseph Haydn serving as a pivotal figure. Within this comprehensive examination, there are embedded close readings of a diverse range of works. These readings are intertwined with a broader consideration of the reception of this music. By exploring the technical and affective dimensions of sociability, Sutcliffe offers a fresh perspective on the instrumental style of the era, challenging prevailing notions and providing new insights into its communicative potential.

ISBN-13: 9781009364027