Abstract

The mid-17th century was a time of great turmoil and division throughout modern-day Germany and Austria. While other European nations—most conspicuously Louis XIV’s France—consolidated their geographical sovereignty and cultural integrity, the German-speaking lands remained a fractured patchwork of political entities that, apart from their language, lacked an overarching, cohesive national identity. While Lutheranism shaped northern and central Germany, the Catholic Church served as a conduit for the dissemination of Italian culture in Bavaria, Austria and other eastern realms; French culture, meanwhile, became increasingly à la mode among the nobility at many courts. The twelve recordings considered in this review feature roughly a century’s worth of music spanning the mid-17th to mid-18th centuries and reflect this multifaceted cultural landscape. When considered all together, the listener can actually hear how the cosmopolitan nature of this exciting and varied repertory not only effected a cross-fertilization of styles, but, over time, led to the emergence of new, patently ‘German’ idioms and stylistic traits as well.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.