The Present State of Music in Germany, The Netherlands, and United Provinces. Or, The Journal of a Tour through those Countries, undertaken to collect Materials for A General History of Music... In Two Volumes
London: Printed for T. Becket and Co. Strand; J. Robson, New Bond-Street; and G. Robinson, Paternoster Row, 1773.
2 volumes. Octavo. Finely bound in full contemporary dark brown calf with raised bands on spine in decorative compartments gilt, dark red and black title and volume number labels gilt.
Vol. I: 1f. (recto title, verso blank), [iii]-viii, 367, [i] (blank), [369]-376 (Index), 1f. (recto errata to both volumes, verso blank).
Vol. II: 1f. (recto title, verso blank), [v]-vi, (Advertisement), 341, [i] (blank), [343]-352 (Index) pp.
Contemporary signature ("John Henry Burger Armagh" 1766-1822) to front pastedowns of both volumes.
Minor wear to binding; endpapers browned. Very slightly worn; light uniform browning throughout.
An attractive copy.
First Edition. Gregory-Bartlett I p. 48 (lacking errata). Cortot p. 41 (another issue). Hirsch I Anhang 13. RISM BVI p. 192.
Burney's writings on music are legendary; his "Tours and the General History of Music remain wellsprings of observation and insight into 18th-century musical life and practice." Kerry S. Grant in Grove Music Online
His History, which remains of considerable importance, was the first to be written in the English language. Although but a music teacher with no University degree, Burney moved in the circles of Samuel Johnson, Garrick and Joshua Reynolds. Upon coming to London, Haydn, with whom Burney had had some correspondence, made a point of first calling on Burney.
Item #33646
Price: $900.00 other currencies