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Archivio Musicale

(Naples, 1882-1884)

Prepared by Alfredo Tarallo
1 volume (1996)

Published in Naples, Archivio musicale represents a completely new initiative in contemporary Neapolitan publications. Under the direction of pianist and pedagogue Beniamino Cesi, Archivio musicale, from the beginning, contains articles displaying interests that extends far beyond local boundaries. Cesi was an important protagonist in the artistic and intellectual life of the time. A diligent editor and founder of the Neapolitan school of piano playing, he was one of the most interesting and intellectually lively personalities of his day. The focus of the first part of each issue of the journal is characterized by the extensive chronicling of events relating to Wagner—for example, the first performance of Parsifal at Bayreuth— and attention to the first Neapolitan performance of Beethoven’s Pianoforte Sonata, op. 106 (Hammerklavier), performed by Cesi himself. Collaborators include many of the most prestigious and internationally-known correspondents and writers about music active in the last decades of the nineteenth century. Among these are François-Auguste Gevaert, Ludwig Nohl, Friedrich Niecks, Oscar Berggrunen, Wilhelm Langhans, Arthur Pougin and Emil Naumann. The second part of the journal is entirely devoted to chronicles. But even here it is possible to see, especially in the pages entitled “Nostre Corrispondenze,” the essay-like character that Cesi tried to give the journal, even when contributors were called upon to supply accounts of artistic events. Finally, the third part is dedicated to brief notices of current events. Here the international scope of the journal is also apparent.

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