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Elizabethan period:
The first English composer who acquired a European reputation was John
Dunstable (the end of 14th + the beginning of 15th century). He excelled as
a composer who influenced the development of polyphonic music. In the
16th century the country was known abroad as “merry England”. In those
days music was a universal recreation and the playing of instruments took
place in almost every large house. The period of musical activity lasted
until the rise of Puritanism (Oliver Cromwell).
Renaissance:
William Byrd – composer of madrigals, innovator in instrumental music.
Other composers in this period were Morlay, Gibbon.
The general practice of music suffered dreadfully during the
Commonwealth, but soon after the restoration, societies of amateurs giving
concerts were established. The most significant composer was Henry
Purcell – an organist in Westminster Abbey, he played church music and
composed music for the masques. He wrote an opera “Dido and Aeneas”.
17th century:
This was another dark age of English music and that’s why foreign
composer had opportunity. When talking about this period we should
mention George Frederic Händel. He directed the king’s … and is famous
for operas and oratoria. He is buried in Westminster.
18th century:
Music/orchestra was based on harpsichord. Strings were plucked (Beggar’s
opera).
Romanticism (19th century):
This period was connected with emotions, music expressed emotions like
anger, joy, sorrow, love, etc. Music included special sound effects.
John Field – a pianist from Dublin, composed 7 concerts and numerous
piano pieces.
Sir William Stendals Benett – composed oratoria, did much for the
advancement of musical art in England.
Sir Arthur Seymour Sullivan – he used to be a member of a choir when he
was a boy. Became famous for oratoria and light opera (The Sorcerer).
20th century:
Sir Edward Elgar – composed many chorals orchestral works for various
festivals. Sprang to fame with his Enigma Variations and musical portraits
of his friends, two symphonies and oratory and a tone poem Falstaff. He
was a composer of music for both instrument and voices.
Ralph Waugham Williams – a remarkable composer based much of his
work on English folk tune.
William Walton – composed music for the film “Henry V.”
Edward Benjamin Britten – although interested in the technical innovations
got tired of manipulation of sound and brought sentiment and feeling back
to music which nevertheless was essentially modern (Spring Symphony,
Let’s … Make an Opera, The Rape of Lukrezia, Peter Grimes, Gloriana –
composed to mark the occasion of Elizabeth II’s coronation).
Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber – musicals (Cats, The Phantom of the Opera,
etc.)
The 60s – The Beatles, Rolling Stones
Elton John, George Michael, Cliff Richard, Phil Collins, Freddie Mercury