In the days before gramophones and radios, if a family wanted to enjoy music they had to provide it themselves. A piano was a prized addition to many households.
Music was also an important part of entertaining guests. It might be a feature of an elegant soirée in a stylish drawing room, or perhaps a more modest entertainment in a small parlour; what Lizzie insists on calling a "soyree" (it's generally a mistake to let Lizzie know how a word of foreign origin is spelled, rather than just telling her how it's pronounced).
| New Zealand Graphic & Ladies Journal: A Musical Evening, [by an unknown artist]. 1890. Ref: PUBL-0163-1890-001. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. http://natlib.govt.nz/records/22728993 |
The soirée (or soyree) might be a gathering of only family and close friends, or might include people whose closer acquaintance was wished. And sometimes it might be a way to show off the accomplishments of a marriageable daughter, thereby increasing the prospects of a good match.
And sometimes the piano was played simply for pleasure, perhaps as a respite from the demands of a busy household.
| Unidentified woman playing piano, location unknown. Williams, Edgar Richard:Negatives, lantern slides, stereographs, colour transparencies, monochrome prints, photographic ephemera. Ref: 1/1-025675-G. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. http://natlib.govt.nz/records/23208252 |
I just love your illustrations, they're so lovely and really put you in a different time.
ReplyDeletehttp://bit2read.com/
Thank you! Yes, they really help with visualising.
DeleteThey must have been a lot more interaction than nowadays with everyone watching TV or playing games!
ReplyDeleteYes, they must!
DeleteI can actually remember (barely) the days before TV reached our little town (it was quite late getting there). We used to play board games or cards quite a lot. No piano, unfortunately - I do have one now, though!
My favorite scenes from Jane Austen books and especially movies are when everyone is gathered in the parlor listening to someone playing the pianoforte. Always looks so interesting and intriguing. Imagine all the unspoken emotions flowing through everyone.
ReplyDeleteOh, yes! She does have some lovely musical moments.
DeleteAusten also quite often uses the pianoforte to let a couple interact, perhaps while the man is turning the music for the lady. It sometimes gives them a quasi-privacy in a crowded room.