She Played and Sang: Jane Austen and Music

Jane Austen was a talented musician who played and sang. Until recently, our knowledge of her musical inclinations was limited to family recollections. However, with the digitisation of music books from her immediate family circle, a treasure trove of evidence has emerged. This work reveals Austen's musical connections with family and friends, uncovers the music closely associated with her, and sheds light on her artistic prowess and the influences that shaped her literary masterpieces.

Format: Hardback
Length: 344 pages
Publication date: 05 March 2024
Publisher: Manchester University Press

Jane Austen, the beloved author known for her iconic heroine Emma Woodhouse, possessed a profound love for music that permeated her life and work. Like Emma, Austen herself was a talented musician, playing the piano and singing with grace and expression. Music played a central role in her literary creations, serving as a powerful tool to illuminate the personalities of her characters and highlight their differences.

Until recently, our understanding of Austen's musical inclinations was limited to the recollections of her relatives, who were still young when she passed away. However, the digitisation of music books from her immediate family circle has opened a treasure trove of evidence, shedding light on a previously unknown facet of Austen's world.

Through a meticulous exploration of these books, alongside letters and other familial records, "She Played and Sang: Unveiling Jane Austen's Musical Legacy" reveals a previously unknown dimension of Austen's life. This insightful work not only uncovers the music closely associated with Austen, but also unravels her musical connections with family and friends, shedding light on the intricate ties between her fiction and the melodies she performed.

With these revelations, Austen's musical legacy comes to life, granting us a deeper understanding of her artistic prowess and the influences that shaped her literary masterpieces. Austen's love for music was not just a personal passion, but it deeply influenced her writing, adding depth and richness to her characters and their relationships.

In her novels, Austen often used music to convey emotions and themes, creating vivid imagery and enhancing the reader's experience. For instance, in "Pride and Prejudice," the piano music played by Elizabeth Bennet during her visits to Mr. Darcy's estate serves as a symbol of her growing affection for him. Similarly, in "Mansfield Park," the musical performances by Fanny Price and Edmund Bertram highlight their growing affection for each other and the tension between their social classes.

Austen's musical talents also extended to her songs, which she composed and performed for her family and friends. These songs, often filled with witty lyrics and playful melodies, captured the essence of her characters and their relationships, providing a glimpse into her private world.

Through the study of Austen's musical inclinations, we gain a deeper appreciation for her as a multifaceted artist. Her love for music not only enriched her own life but also left a lasting legacy in her literary works, inspiring generations of readers and musicians alike.

In conclusion, Jane Austen's love for music was a defining aspect of her life and work. Through the digitisation of music books and other familial records, we have gained a newfound insight into her musical legacy, shedding light on the intricate connections between her fiction and the melodies she performed. Austen's use of music in her novels was a powerful tool to convey emotions, highlight characters' personalities, and explore social themes. Her musical talents extended to composing and performing songs, which provided a glimpse into her private world and captured the essence of her characters and their relationships. By studying Austen's musical inclinations, we gain a deeper appreciation for her as a multifaceted artist and a testament to the enduring power of music to enrich our lives and inspire creativity.

Weight: 424g
Dimension: 139 x 206 x 32 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781526170101