ABSTRACT
The musical values Crotch advocates in his lectures show a great many points of similarity with the ancient-music tradition and with the tradition of classical music that developed from it. First, Crotch's new musical world of 1818 was shaped fundamentally by interests and values that were only later taken up on the Continent as a result of the posthumous influence of Mozart. The old-music movement took pride in its resistance to fashion and self-conscious cultivation of the esoteric. Accordingly, the Ancient Concert sometimes dealt with popular composers of old music by choosing from their lesser known works, especially programming obscure selections from Handel oratorios. Crotch also constantly demonstrates his respect for great composers, much as Weber has shown is true of earlier ancient-music culture. Finally, and most importantly, Crotch's lectures acknowledge, at least in theory, the possibility of the contemporary master-work.
