Domenico Dragonetti in England (1794-1846): The Career of a Double Bass Virtuoso [Hardcover]

Fiona M. Palmer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 12, 1998

Domenico Dragonetti (1763-1846) was the most famous double-bass player in history. He dominated the English musical world for just over half a century. This critical biography explores his extraordinary career as musician, composer, entrepreneur, and pedagogue.

Editorial Reviews

Review

`Her obvious passion for the instrument gives her writing an urgent and committed feel. And she is scrupulously fair in her consideration of primary sources, never giving in to the tempration to overemphasise her subject's character tomake hum more bankable.' Warwick Thompson, Classical Music

`To find ... a serious academic publisher prepared to invest in a book that will inevitably interest a comparatively small body of enthusiasts is both refreshing and rewarding ... Fiona Palmer, during her thorough research, has sifted through every available report and laid to rest many of the myths and inaccuracies that have been quoted and misquoted over the years. There is more information about his background in her first chapter than can be found between two covers anywhere else ... a great deal of material has survived from his long and productive period in London, and Fiona Palmer's persistence and exhaustive research into it make her book extremely interesting.' Rodney Slatford, Music and Letters

About the Author

Fiona Palmer is a double bassist in the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, New Zealand.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 312 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (February 12, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0198165919
• ISBN-13: 978-0198165910
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,336,982 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Read this book! (after you're done practicing), December 30, 1999

By 

C. A. Mink (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Domenico Dragonetti in England (1794-1846): The Career of a Double Bass Virtuoso (Hardcover)

If you are a double bass player and have ever wondered about the development of this most noble musical instrument, you must read this meticulously researched, carefully presented work. Palmer reveals many interesting facets of Dragonetti's life and career in England: his performing technique and compositional style, his personal relationships, the working conditions that he and other musicians of that period endured, and the social/political/musical climate of early 19th century England. This book also dispels many erroneous beliefs that have been perpetuated by less informed authors. Dragonetti was a consummate performer, a clever businessman, and the first major virtuoso of this instrument. He "exerted a profound influence on the history of double bass playing: particularly its reception, status, function, and technique". After I read it I ran right out and bought myself a German bow!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars IL DRAGO, March 22, 2002

By 

Brian "Brian" (Ohio, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Domenico Dragonetti in England (1794-1846): The Career of a Double Bass Virtuoso (Hardcover)

This is an unbelievably thorough book unearthing more about "Il Drago" than you probably thought was possible. Admittedly, it is a pretty heavy read at times but worth it for the die hard bass fan. Dragonetti is such an important figure to the history of the bass. It is nice to see something as well written as this about such an important bassist. It shows all of Dragonetti's eccentric behavior and his wonderful sense of humor. Bassists weren't wrapped too tight, even back then!