The Musical Quarterly
The Musical Quarterly has published without interruption since 1915, making it the oldest academic journal on music in America. Oscar Sonneck founded it and served as its editor until his death in 1928. Thirteen years of his editorship gave the journal its direction and its sense of purpose. Who kept it going after Sonneck, and which publishing home eventually replaced its original one, are questions this history works through. The journal that Sonneck left in 1928 would be carried forward by six editorial successors.
Carl Engel stepped into the editorship in 1930 and held it for fourteen years. Gustave Reese took over in 1944 but served for only a single year, leaving in 1945.
Paul Henry Lang assumed the role in 1945 and stayed for twenty-eight years, stepping down in 1973. No editor before Lang had approached that span.
Joan Peyser took the chair in 1977 and edited the journal until 1984. Eric Salzman followed, serving from 1984 to 1991.
Leon Botstein took over in 1993 and has edited the journal since. Botstein is the president of Bard College and the principal conductor of the American Symphony Orchestra.
G. Schirmer, Inc. published the journal from its earliest years. Oxford University Press has since taken over that role. Botstein's editorship, which began in 1993, has become the longest single tenure in the journal's history.
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Common questions
When was The Musical Quarterly founded and who started it?
The Musical Quarterly was founded in 1915 by Oscar Sonneck, who also served as its first editor. Sonneck edited the journal until his death in 1928, a span of thirteen years.
What makes The Musical Quarterly historically significant?
The Musical Quarterly is the oldest academic journal on music in America, founded in 1915 by Oscar Sonneck.
Who edits The Musical Quarterly today?
Leon Botstein has edited The Musical Quarterly since 1993. He is the president of Bard College and the principal conductor of the American Symphony Orchestra.
Who originally published The Musical Quarterly?
The Musical Quarterly was originally published by G. Schirmer, Inc. It is now published by Oxford University Press.
How long did Paul Henry Lang edit The Musical Quarterly?
Paul Henry Lang edited The Musical Quarterly for twenty-eight years, from 1945 to 1973.
Who are all the editors of The Musical Quarterly?
The Musical Quarterly has been edited by Oscar Sonneck (1915-1928), Carl Engel (1930-1944), Gustave Reese (1944-1945), Paul Henry Lang (1945-1973), Joan Peyser (1977-1984), Eric Salzman (1984-1991), and Leon Botstein (since 1993).
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6 references cited across the entry
- 1JournalCosmopolitan or Provincial?: Ideology in Early Black Music Historiography, 1867–1940Guthrey P. Jr. Ramsey — Spring 1996
- 2JournalRudolph E. Schirmer1919-10-01
- 3BookAfter 100 Years(!): The Editorial Side of SonneckH. Wiley Hitchcock — United States Library of Congress — 1975
- 4JournalThe Study of Indian MusicFrances Densmore — 1915-04-01
- 5JournalPoetry and the ComposerE. H. C. Oliphant — 1922-04-01
- 6JournalMusic versus MaterialismElise Fellows White — 1922-01-01