What Happened to Music Printing in England?
The first generation of music printers produced quality books and appeared to have had a strong interest in music printing. However, with the exception of Thomas Snodham, the second generation was less capable and much less interested in providing the public with printed music. After the second generation of lute song printers died, those who inherited their printing materials seemed to have had no interest in music printing at all. The reasons for this decline are the focus of my dissertation. It is likely a combination of economic feasability and changing musical tastes. By the 1620s, the lute as an accompanying instrument was becoming less popular, in favor of the viol and the harpsichord. In addition, English laws regarding printing were so stringent that the expense of printing music may have become prohibitive. Whatever the reasons, we can be grateful for the fine prints and excellent songs printed by these two generations of printers.
