Musical impressions from an eighteenthcentury European tour by a Styrian nobleman

Abstract

Ignaz von Attems (1714–1762) spent four years on
a  Grand  Tour  of  Europe.  He  departed  from  his
native Graz in October 1734, returning in October
1738. Thirty-two letters sent to his father during this
journey have survived. Attems reported on several
events, actual or imminent, featuring music. He not
only enjoyed these occasions but also took home
some more durable souvenirs, which included at
least thirty-five musical manuscripts. These provide
useful information on what kind of music was valu
ed in the German-speaking world around 1735 and
which music was popular in Italy in 1738