Charles Dickens enjoyed music very much, and frequently used music to paint a picture of the psychological environment that accompanied his characters; for example, in "A Christmas Carol" music is an important factor in conveying the psychological environment of friendship and happiness at nephew Fred's Christmas Party and in memories of Scrooge's employer, Fezziwig's ("Old Fuzzy Wig"), when Scrooge was a young clerk. Dickens also mentions music that one could hear in "Sketches by Boz". In fact, entire books have been devoted to the music that Dickens refers to in his oeuvere. See "Charles Dickens and Music" by James T. Lightwood (Charles H. Kelly Publisher, London, 1904) for a list of the musical compositions Dickens refers to in his written works.
The following three pieces are examples of popular music that would have been known to the public in the British Isles. Music courtesy of Musica Pacifica, "Dancing in the Isles: Baroque and Traditional Music from England, Scotland, and Ireland". The major directors of Musica Pacifica are Judith Linsenberg (recorders) and Elizabeth Blumenstock (baroque violins). Esther Lederberg on several occasions, attended recorder workshops directed by Judith Linsenberg, and was acquainted with Elizabeth Blumenstock as well.
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