Vincent Novello (1781û1861): Music for the Masses

Today Vincent Novello (1781-1861) is remembered as the father of the music-publishing firm. Fiona Palmer's evaluation of Novello is the first to provide a rounded view of his life and work, and the nature of his importance both in his own time and to posterity. In his wide-ranging editorial work Novello found his true vocation positioning himself as preservationist, pioneer and philanthropist. His work as composer, though unremarkable in quality, mirrored the demands and expectations of his consumers. Novello emerges from this study as a visionary who single-mindedly pursued greater musical knowledge for the benefit of everyone.

Fiona M. Palmer is Senior Lecturer in Music at Queen's University Belfast.