Complete Encyclopaedia of Music/A/Ancient concert

by John Weeks Moore

Ancient concert. A society, established in London, for the purpose of preserving music which, in the fashionable world, is called ancient. They gave concerts, at which were performed the masterpieces of Pergolese, Leo, Durante. Marcello, and Scarlatti; in a word, they performed the music of that constellation of distinguished men, who appeared, almost at the same time, about the year 1730. It is certainly unwise to neglect the productions of genius, to whatever period they may belong. Yet, as music, like every other branch of art and knowledge, is progressive, it cannot surely be expedient constantly to refer to the works of our forefathers, as did this society, for the only models of excellence.