John Curwen and the Tonic Sol-fa English music education in the 19th century and its effect on the Kodály conception

This thesis examines the musical life and education of 19th century England, and its effect on the Kodály conception. I will prove that the English music renewal of the 19th century was the result ofthe work ofJohn Curwen (1816-1880) and Sarah Glover (1786- 1867). Curwen developed a new music teaching method called the Tonic Sol-fa, which was based on the system of Sarah Glover. He intended to devise both a systematic method of class instruction in music and an aid to worship. I will also demonstrate that the basis of Kodály‘s method was his discovery of John Curwen’s Tonic Sol-fa teaching. Kodály liked the simplicity and efficiency of the Tonic Sol-fa, so he revised and spread it with great success all over the country.