Product Description
* The major composers from Bach and Bartok to Rachmaninoff and Tchaikovsky
* Significant performers from Maurice Andre and Leornard Bernstein to Georg Solti and Yo Yo Ma
* The landmark works from Appalachian Spring to Don Juan
* A concise history of classical music
* A deconstruction of the art form
* The language of classical music
* Valuable resources for the Curious Listener… More >>
The NPR Curious Listener’s Guide to Classical Music
Tags: appalachian spring, bartok, Classical, concise history, Curious, deconstruction, georg solti, Guide, history of classical music, Listener's, maurice andre, Music, rachmaninoff, valuable resources, yo yo ma
#1 by a reader on April 22, 2010 - 9:33 pm
To say I was disappointed in this “guide” is an understatement. I expected so much more from NPR. I live in New Orleans and lost a lot of my books in the flood following Katrina, so I needed a new classical music reference. This one is not at all useful to me.
Rating: 2 / 5
#2 by Jonathan Feinberg on April 22, 2010 - 10:42 pm
Full of flabby generalities, misstatements, and defensive assurances that classical music isn’t elitist. The author unnecessarily compares classical music to musical styles about which he evidently knows nothing. With friends like this, classical music needs no enemies.
Rating: 1 / 5
#3 by Anonymous on April 22, 2010 - 11:18 pm
I found this book to be a pleasent introduction to a greater understanding of the genre of classical music. It is helpful, but not necessary, to have some understanding of music theory. Knowing what such things as polyphony and monophony are about all that you need to know. The introduction nicley summarizes the book’s theme. This is a much better and cheaper way to get introduced to classical music then through such other books as “Classical Music for Dummies,” or the “Idiot’s Guide to Classical Music.” The only thing I found somewhat questionable about this book was the choice of cd’s that have been selected for one to build a collection with; otherwise, this book is a valuble resource for liteners be they curious or even casual. For those serious about classical music this book will seem too elemental for their tastes.
Rating: 4 / 5
#4 by Anonymous on April 22, 2010 - 11:48 pm
I found this to be a very helpful, friendly over-all guide to classical music. It contains brief descriptions of major works, capsule bios of well-known composers, and lots of helpful information presented in an easy to understand, down to earth manner. As a novice to this type of music, I found the vast world of Classical repertoire a bit intimidating, but Mr. Smith is not the least bit pretentious, and I found his writings warm and welcoming. I’m sure that even seasoned classical music fans will find this book a handy reference.
Rating: 4 / 5
#5 by Judge Knott on April 23, 2010 - 12:21 am
This book reminds me of the old saying that “a camel is a horse built by a committee.” This text isn’t quite right for either beginners or intermediate lovers of classical music. It’s not user-friendly or clever enough for beginners, and it’s too thin and too passionless for intermediates. It’s perfectly okay, but falls well short of the competition.
There are lots of really good classical-music guides on the market, however. Some fun, not-too-taxing ones are Marcus Weeks’ “Music: A Crash Course” and Phil G. Golding’s “Classical Music.” Each of these is fun and fresh.
If you want something more substantive and brainy that will allow you to show off at your next embassy cocktail party, try Fred Plotkin’s “Classical Music 101″ or Jan Swafford’s “The Vintage Guide to Classical Music.” Plotkin’s is better, but a bit stiff, and Swafford’s has many more illustrations.
The very best is, believe it or not, is David Pogue’s and Scott Speck’s “Classical Music for Dummies.” It comes with a good audio CD of sample classical tracks, and the two authors are both professional musicians and very bright people. It’s a real and helpful treat.
Rating: 3 / 5