Charles Burney (1726-1814)
The most important English music historian of the
18th century. "A General History of
Music" (London, 1776, reprinted New York 1957) is the first
important history of music in English. It contains many interesting
comments on the contemporary musical trend that reveal the general attitudes
of creative musicians and the public during Burney's time. Burney
made extensive trips to the musical capitals of Europe and wrote two volumes
concerning the musical scene on the continent.