A Dictionary of Musicians, from the Earliest Ages to the Present Time Comprising the Most Important Biographical Contents of the works of Gerber, Choron, and Fayolle, Count Orloff, Dr. Burney, Sir John Hawkins, &c. &c. Together with Upwards of a Hundred Original Memoirs of the most Eminent Living Musicians; and a Summary of the History of Music. Vol. I [-II]

SAINSBURY, John S. ca. 1793-ca. 1862

Published by Printed for Sainsbury and Co., Salisbury-Square, Fleet-Street, London, 1824

About this Item

2 volumes. Octavo. Half dark green calf with marbled boards, spine in decorative compartments gilt with dark red title labels gilt, marbled endpapers. Vol. I: 1f. (recto title, verso blank), [i]-iii ("Prefatory Observations'), [i] (blank), [v]-lxxii ("Summary of the History of Music, by Alexandre Choron"), 401, [i] (blank) pp.; Vol. II: 1f. (recto title, verso blank), 561, [i], 1f. (recto printer's note, verso blank) pp. Binding somewhat worn, rubbed, and bumped; upper board and head of spine to Vol. II lacking. Very minor internal wear; light uniform browning. In very good internal condition. ". the first international dictionary of musicians in English, [the present work] remains the source of information on some British subjects in the Dictionary of National Biography and in this dictionary . Essentially a compilation from earlier reference works and histories, including those of Choron and Fayolle, Gerber, Burney, Hawkins and William Bingley (Musical Biography, 1814, the most heavily used English source), and from journals such as the Harmonicon and Quarterly Musical Magazine and Review, the two-volume Dictionary nevertheless contains original material supplied by musicians to whom Sainsbury wrote directly; many of their replies, together with other editorial files, survive to reveal the tactics of early vanity publishing . Sainsbury's purpose and methods were suspect even in his own day, and the book's balance and factual content are in places absurd. Scholarly concern was renewed in 1931 when, after his discovery of the letters in Glasgow, H.G. Farmer showed Sainsbury's avowed musical patriotism to be specious, hinting at commercial motives instead. Still, for the rich detail and social vivacity in some of its original memoirs, the dictionary remains useful. Its further significance lies in its connection with the founding of the Royal Academy of Music in 1822-3." Leanne Langley in Grove Music Online.

Seller Inventory # 41614

Bibliographic Details

• Title: A Dictionary of Musicians, from the Earliest Ages to the Present Time Comprising the Most Important Biographical Contents of the works of Gerber, Choron, and Fayolle, Count Orloff, Dr. Burney, Sir John Hawkins, &c. &c. Together with Upwards of a Hundred Original Memoirs of the most Eminent Living Musicians; and a Summary of the History of Music. Vol. I [-II]
• Publisher: Printed for Sainsbury and Co., Salisbury-Square, Fleet-Street, London
• Publication Date: 1824
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: Very Good
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