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Year of Wonder


Synopsis


'A magnificent treasury . . . a fascinating tour de force.' Observer

'Year of Wonder is an absolute treat - the most enlightening way to be guided through the year.' Eddie Redmayne

Classical music for everyone - an inspirational piece of music for every day of the year, celebrating composers from the medieval era to the present day, written by award-winning violinist and BBC Radio 3 presenter Clemency Burton-Hill.


Have you ever heard a piece of music so beautiful it stops you in your tracks? Or wanted to discover more about classical music but had no idea where to begin?

Year of Wonder
is a unique celebration of classical music by an author who wants to share its diverse wonders with others and to encourage a love for this genre in all readers, whether complete novices or lifetime enthusiasts.

Clemency chooses one piece of music for each day of the year, with a short explanation about the composer to put it into context, and brings the music alive in a modern and playful way, while also extolling the positive mindfulness element of giving yourself some time every day to listen to something uplifting or beautiful. Thoughtfully curated and expertly researched, this is a book of classical music to keep you company: whoever you are, wherever you're from.

'The only requirements for enjoying classical music are open ears and an open mind.'
Clemency Burton-Hill


Playlists are available on most streaming music platforms including Apple Music and Spotify.

Summary

Chapter 1: The Coming of the Plague

* Describes the idyllic village of Eyam in Derbyshire, England, in 1665.
* A tailor from London brings infected cloth to the village, igniting the plague.
* Example: "The tailor's name was George Viccars... A man of good repute... but he was to be the unwitting bearer of death to the village of Eyam."

Chapter 2: Panic and Isolation

* Panic and hysteria spread through the village as people die.
* The villagers decide to quarantine themselves from the outside world to prevent further spread.
* Example: "The villagers met in the churchyard that evening, faces grim and eyes filled with fear... They resolved to shut themselves off from the rest of the world."

Chapter 3: The Pastor's Dilemma

* The village pastor, William Mompesson, faces a moral dilemma: should he stay and risk his family's health or flee?
* He decides to remain, providing spiritual guidance and support to the villagers.
* Example: "It was a terrible decision for Mompesson to make. He could stay and face the almost certain prospect of death... or he could run away and save himself."

Chapter 4: Life in Quarantine

* The villagers establish a system of self-governance and appoint officials to maintain order.
* Daily life is disrupted by the plague, and rituals are adapted to prevent spread.
* Example: "The villagers took turns digging graves... The dead were buried in mass graves... without coffins or shrouds."

Chapter 5: The Village Mourns

* The plague devastates the village, with hundreds dying.
* Grief and despair become pervasive emotions.
* Example: "By the end of June, the plague was claiming two or three lives every day... Eyam was a village in mourning."

Chapter 6: The Witch Trials

* Superstitious fears emerge, and people begin to scapegoat outsiders and "witches."
* Accusations and trials lead to the deaths of innocent victims.
* Example: "The plague brought out the worst in some people... Rumours of witchcraft ran rife... An innocent woman named Alice Buxton was hanged."

Chapter 7: The Turning Point

* The plague's intensity gradually wanes, and hope begins to emerge.
* The villagers realize the importance of unity and community.
* Example: "By the autumn of 1666, the plague had finally burned itself out... The survivors had endured a year of horror."

Chapter 8: The Legacy

* Eyam becomes known for its resilience and sacrifice.
* The villagers establish a memorial to those who died.
* Example: "Today, a stone cross stands in the village of Eyam, marking the site of the plague graves... It is a poignant reminder of the extraordinary courage and resilience of the people of Eyam."