Charles Burney Quotes

A collection of quotes by Charles Burney.

Charles Burney (1726-1814) was an English composer, music historian, and musician. He was born in Shrewsbury, England and displayed a prodigious musical talent from a young age. Burney initially trained as a chorister at Chester Cathedral before embarking on a career as a musician and composer.

Burney composed a wide range of works, including sonatas, symphonies, and chamber music. Although not widely known for his compositions today, he was highly regarded during his lifetime and influenced later composers such as Franz Joseph Haydn and Ludwig van Beethoven.

However, Burney is best known for his extensive work as a music historian. He traveled extensively throughout Europe, documenting and studying the music and musicians of his time. His most famous publication is "A General History of Music," a four-volume work that covers the history of Western music from ancient times to the late 18th century. This monumental work remains an essential resource for music scholars and historians.

Burney also had a significant impact on the development of music education in England. He was heavily involved in the establishment of the London-based Royal Academy of Music and served as its first professor of music.

Throughout his life, Burney maintained connections with many notable musicians and intellectuals of his time, including Johann Christian Bach, Domenico Scarlatti, and Samuel Johnson. His contributions to music as a historian and composer solidified his place as a prominent figure in the musical landscape of 18th-century England.