The Wheatstone English Concertina in Victorian England

This is a study of the Wheatstone English concertina and its music, players, and audiences in Victorian England. Illustrated with music examples throughout, this study also contains an appendix containing five pieces written specially for the instrument by the composers of the day.

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The Wheatstone English concertina was enormously popular in Victorian England. Developed around 1830 by the physicist Sir Charles Wheatstone, the instrument quickly found a home on the leading concert stage and in upper-class salons. It attracted such composers as Macfarren, Benedict, Barnett, and molique, who supplied its repertory with concertos, sonatas, character pieces, and chamber works. It two great virtuosos, Giulio Regondi and Richard Blagrove, drew the plaudits of audiences, and critics alike.

This is the first comprehensive book about the instrument, its players, audiences, and reception. An appendix contains an edition of five pieces for the instrument.