The concept of stylus phantasticus (orfantastic style ) as it was expressed in free keyboard music of the north German Baroque forms the focus of this book. Exploring both the theoretical background to the style and its application by composers and performers, Paul Collins surveys the development of Athanasius Kircher‘s original concept and its influence on music theorists such as Brossard, Janovka, Mattheson, and Walther. Turning specifically to fantasist composers of keyboard works, the book examines the keyboard toccatas of Merulo, Fresobaldi, Rossi and Froberger and their influence on north German organists Tunder, Weckmann, Reincken, Buxtehude, Bruhns, Lubeck, Bohm, and Leyding. The free keyboard music of this distinguished group highlights the intriguing relationship at this time between composition and performance, the concept of fantasy, and the understanding of originality and individuality in seventeenth-century culture.

The concept of stylus phantasticus (or ?fantastic style?) as it was expressed in free keyboard music of the north German Baroque forms the focus of this book. Exploring both the theoretical background to the style and its application by composers and performers, Paul Collins surveys the development of Athanasius Kircher?s original concept and its influence on music theorists such as Brossard, Janovka, Mattheson, and Walther. Turning specifically to fantasist composers of keyboard works, the book examines the keyboard toccatas of Merulo, Fresobaldi, Rossi and Froberger and their influence on north German organists Tunder, Weckmann, Reincken, Buxtehude, Bruhns, Lubeck, Bohm, and Leyding. The free keyboard music of this distinguished group highlights the intriguing relationship at this time between composition and performance, the concept of fantasy, and the understanding of originality and individuality in seventeenth-century culture.

This book, the 9th volume in the Irish Musical Studies Series, collects 15 essays on various aspects of musical life in Ireland in the 19th century, including sacred and secular musical life in various centres; collections of Irish traditional music, the reception of Irish traditional music in literature, painting and Victorian society; music education; issues concerning opera; the nature of the musical press; the use of music for social altruism; the music of R.P. Stewart; the dialogue between Germany and Ireland; the Czechs and Irish music. Contributors: Paul Rodmell (U. Birmingham), Anne Dempsey (ind.), Roy Johnston (ind.), Paul Collins (Mary I.), Marie McCarthy (U. Maryland), Maria McHale (ind.), Jimmy O'Brien Moran (U. Limerick), Barra Boydell (NUIM), David Cooper (U. Leeds), Ita Beausang (ind.), Michael Murphy (Mary I.), Lisa Parker (Mary I.), Harry White (UCD), Joachim Fischer (U. Limerick), Jan Smaczny (QUB), Axel Klein (ind.). (Series: Irish Musical Studies)