Music in Twentieth-Century Oxford: New Directions

The first book-length study of musical education and culture in twentieth-century Oxford explores how music has been integral to the city and university, with a focus on the unique ability of music to connect town and gown. It traces the development of new musical initiatives, including the Faculty of Music and the University Opera Club, and explores music in the newly-founded women's colleges and the musical society formed in 1930 at University College. The work of Oxford composers, including George Butterworth, Nicola Lefanu, Edmund Rubbra, and William Walton, is surveyed, and two remarkable figures, Sir Hugh Allen and Sir Jack Westrup, recur throughout the book.

Format: Hardback
Length: 278 pages
Publication date: 18 April 2023
Publisher: Boydell & Brewer Ltd

The first comprehensive study of music education and culture in twentieth-century Oxford, this book explores the city's rich musical heritage through the lens of its colleges, choirs, and professional musicians. With its collegiate system and centuries-long tradition of musical activity, Oxford presents a distinctive and multi-layered picture of the role of music in urban culture and university life.

The chapters in this book shed light on music's unique ability to bridge the gap between town and gown, as demonstrated by the Oxford Bach Choir, the city's many churches, and the major choral foundations. The twentieth century saw the emergence of new musical initiatives, including the University's Faculty of Music and the University Opera Club. Furthermore, the book explores music in the newly-founded women's colleges, contrasted with the musical society formed in 1930 at University College, an ancient men's college.

The work of Oxford composers, including George Butterworth, Nicola Lefanu, Edmund Rubbra, and William Walton, as well as the composer for several Carry on films, Bruce Montgomery, is surveyed. Two remarkable figures, Sir Hugh Allen and Sir Jack Westrup, recur throughout the book in a variety of contexts.

This volume is indispensable reading for scholars and students of musical life in twentieth-century Britain, as well as those interested generally in the history of Oxford's thriving cultural life.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781783277247