New book on Early Modern Music in Europe

How did music circulate in early modern Europe? Which routes, networks and mediators facilitated the exchange of music manuscripts and prints? In Translatio Musicae. Circulation and Use of Music in Early Modern Europe thirteen scholars offer fresh perspectives on the circulation and use of music during this period—not only between distant parts of the Continent, but also within individual regions or cities. The book is published by Vitterhetsakademien.

A shared focus lies in the ways French and Italian music was transmitted to Northern Europe in the 17th and 18th centuries. A central argument is that no relocation occurs without some form of change or transformation—that is, translation. Translatio thus refers both to the physical movement of music and to the creative adaptations it often undergoes in new contexts, highlighting the inherently transformative nature of such processes.

– Creative connections were maintained in Europe even in ancient times, even between widely separated locations. Here researchers from eight countries highlight these important cultural connections. New ideas, particularly from Italy and France, encountered and adapted to local tastes and traditions. There are thus obvious similarities with today's globalized music landscape, says Lars Berglund, one of the editors.

Editors Lars Berglund & Maria Schildt

Authors Lars Berglund, Rosa Cafiero, Louis Delpech, Giulia Giovani, Klemen Grabnar, Margaret Murata, Rudolf Rasch, Stephen Rose, Maria Schildt, Valentina Trovato, Nicola Usula, Huub van der Linden, Peter Wollny.

Book info
ISBN: 978-91-88763-64-8
ISBN (pdf): 978-91-88763-65-5
ISSN: 0083-6788
Published: August 2025
Dutch bind (flexibound)
328 pages
Series: Historiska serien 43
Price: 350 SEK

The volume is also available as open access.

Distribution via Eddy.se. Order or download.

Contact for more information
Ulrika Gustafsson, Head of Publications, Editor, Kungl. Vitterhetsakademien, ulrika.gustafsson@vitterhetsakademien.se

The Royal Swedish Academy of Letters, History and Antiquities (Vitterhetsakademien) advances and funds research in the humanities and social sciences and in cultural heritage management. Its work is financed by donations and by public and private foundations. Vitterhetsakademien also owns and manages several historic buildings and sites: Skånelaholm Castle in Uppland, Stjernsund Castle in Närke, Rettig House in Stockholm (which houses Vitterhetsakademien’s office), the villages of Stensjö in Småland and Borg and the ruins of Gråborg on Öland.

Vitterhetsakademien has a broad range of academic publications in the humanities and social sciences, and publishes new research for an interested public and the wider academic community. The Academy’s publications are available from our own online shop and from Adlibris, Bokus, and Amazon.