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Plays, Acting and Music A Book Of Theory   By: (1865-1945)

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Plays, Acting and Music A Book Of Theory by Arthur Symons offers an insightful and comprehensive exploration of the interplay between theatrical performance and musical accompaniment. Symons, an accomplished poet and critic, brings his expertise to bear in dissecting the intricate relationship between plays, acting, and music throughout the centuries.

The book is organized into several sections, each focusing on a different historical period or genre. Symons takes the reader on a journey through the origins of drama in ancient Greece, highlighting the vital role that music played in enhancing the emotional impact of performances. Drawing from an impressive range of sources, he skillfully examines how music was woven into various theatrical traditions, from solemn medieval morality plays to vibrant Renaissance masques.

One of the book's strengths is Symons's ability to present complex ideas in an accessible manner. His prose is clear and engaging, making concepts that may be unfamiliar to the reader easily understandable. He is also careful to include numerous musical examples, allowing readers to experience firsthand the techniques he discusses. These examples, together with Symons's lucid explanations, enable even those without prior knowledge of music theory to grasp the crucial connections between sounds and theatrical expression.

Furthermore, Symons does not limit himself to a purely historical approach. He offers valuable insights into the present-day relationship between theater and music, highlighting contemporary plays and productions that demonstrate new approaches to incorporating music in performance. In doing so, he emphasizes the continued relevance and relevance of this topic in the modern world of theater.

However, it is worth noting that as the book progresses, the focus on theory becomes increasingly detailed and complex, requiring a greater level of concentration and dedication from the reader. While this may detract from its accessibility to some, it also establishes Plays, Acting and Music A Book Of Theory as a valuable resource for those seeking an in-depth examination of this subject.

In conclusion, Arthur Symons's Plays, Acting and Music A Book Of Theory is a comprehensive and thought-provoking exploration of the intricate relationship between theater, acting, and music. With his clear and insightful prose, Symons illuminates the historical significance of music in drama while also examining its continued relevance in contemporary theater. This book will undoubtedly prove to be a valuable resource for scholars, theater practitioners, and anyone interested in understanding the profound impact of music on the art of acting.

First Page:

PLAYS ACTING AND MUSIC

A BOOK OF THEORY

BY ARTHUR SYMONS

LONDON

1909

To Maurice Maeterlinck in friendship and admiration

PREFACE

When this book was first published it contained a large amount of material which is now taken out of it; additions have been made, besides many corrections and changes; and the whole form of the book has been remodelled. It is now more what it ought to have been from the first; what I saw, from the moment of its publication, that it ought to have been: a book of theory. The rather formal announcement of my intentions which I made in my preface is reprinted here, because, at all events, the programme was carried out.

This book, I said then, is intended to form part of a series, on which I have been engaged for many years. I am gradually working my way towards the concrete expression of a theory, or system of æsthetics, of all the arts.

In my book on "The Symbolist Movement in Literature" I made a first attempt to deal in this way with literature; other volumes, now in preparation, are to follow. The present volume deals mainly with the stage, and, secondarily, with music; it is to be followed by a volume called "Studies in Seven Arts," in which music will be dealt with in greater detail, side by side with painting, sculpture, architecture, handicraft, dancing, and the various arts of the stage... Continue reading book >>




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