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The Classic FM Concise Hall of Fame: Your guide to the greatest music ever composed
 
 
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The Classic FM Concise Hall of Fame: Your guide to the greatest music ever composed [Kindle Edition]

Darren Henley (Author), Tim Lihoreau (Author), Sam Jackson (Author)
4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
Print List Price: £25.00
Kindle Price: £5.76 includes VAT* & free wireless delivery via Amazon Whispernet
You Save: £19.24 (77%)
* Unlike print books, digital books are subject to VAT.

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Product Description

Review

We all need classical music. There's something here for every fan, from the casual listener to the serious aficionado. --Sir Simon Rattle

Classic FM listeners will find the stories behind their favourite pieces and the composers who wrote them fascinating; a superb introduction to the UK's best loved classical works. --Nicola Benedetti

The Classic FM Hall of Fame has undoubtedly caught the imagination, passion and enthusiasm of its listeners. This book is full of delightful stories, recommended recordings and hidden treasures. A must for the Hall of Fame aficionado. --Bryn Terfel

Review

'We all need classical music. There's something here for every fan, from the casual listener to the serious aficionado.' Sir Simon Rattle 'The Classic FM Hall of Fame has undoubtedly caught the imagination, passion and enthusiasm of its listeners. This book is full of delightful stories, recommended recordings and hidden treasures.' Bryn Terfel 'A superb introduction to the UK's best loved classical works.' Nicola Benedetti 'The Classic FM Hall of Fame means so much to so many and this beautiful book more than does it justice.' Alison Balsom 'The stories behind these favourite pieces and the composers are fascinating - and written with Classic FM's genuine passion for classical music.' Vasily Petrenko
See all Product Description

Product details

  • Format: Kindle Edition
  • File Size: 484 KB
  • Print Length: 230 pages
  • Publisher: Elliott & Thompson (19 Dec 2011)
  • Sold by: Amazon Media EU S.à r.l.
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B007RDOCXE
  • Text-to-Speech: Enabled
  • X-Ray: Not Enabled
  • Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #76,178 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

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Customer Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
21 reviews
4.5 out of 5 stars
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
64 of 65 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars An excellent present for musical friends and relatives 15 April 2011
By Dave
Format:Hardcover
Classic FM has two great qualities for which we should be grateful: firstly, its commitment to bringing the good news about classical music to the hitherto unconverted; secondly, its ability to surprise the already converted with gems of unsuspected interest, worth and beauty. This book embodies both these virtues. It provides a comprehensive introductory guide to an established canon of great music and it highlights a surprising number of works which fall outside the category of `popular classics'.

Of course one can always pick fault with what is included and what is left out. Where there is evangelism there is scope for dogmatic disputation. No Scarlatti? No Beethoven string quartets? On the other hand the book's Top 300 playlist includes whole operas and choral works rather than just cherry picking the best known and most `hummable' numbers. Mozart does particularly well here! There are also a number of interesting and unexpected inclusions. Rachmaninov's entry includes, unsurprisingly, the three piano concertos and the Rhapsody on a theme of Paganini. However the book also lists and gives a very well-written, thoughtful description of the All Night Vigil Vespers, conveying beautifully the tone of this lesser-known and profound work. No talk of `Rach One' here!

The book contains a wealth of factual detail about the composers, the works listed and the recommended recordings. Some of the commentaries on the works try too hard to be non highbrow and end up being simply bland - eg the slow movement of the Schubert String Quintet is described as a "corker"...but no more than that. On the other hand the detailed description of the dissonances in the Pergolesi Stabat Mater (representing nails being hammered into Christ's body) is vivid and illuminating.... Read more ›
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28 of 29 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Essential reading for all classical music enthusiasts 2 May 2011
By Rosamund
Format:Hardcover
This book is full of amazing facts! It doesn't matter where you open it, you will find something interesting and intriguing. For example, George Butterworth - I have long loved his "The Banks of Green Willow" without knowing anything about the composer. I learned that he died tragically young in the First World War, with his considerable musical potential unfulfilled.
Anyone who likes classical music will find plenty to interest them. Each of the 300 pieces comes with a recommended recording - very useful. The book has already introduced me to composers I did not know, as well as informing me about those I know and love. It is a beautifully produced book, with some lovely illustrations, and I thoroughly recommend it.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars The Classic FM Hall of Fame 30 Jan 2012
By Silver Surfer 74
Format:Hardcover
'Tis difficult to imagine a finer coffee-table book covering such a wide area of popular Classical music. The Classic FM team of authors, Darren, Sam and Tim, deserve much praise for for their efforts. Congratulations!!
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14 of 16 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars classic fm colloquial musicology 23 Sep 2011
By aquarius
Format:Hardcover
First this book is handsomely produced. It is not an academic text but it does give historical and anecdotal insights into composers and their music. It is well laid out, easy to use, and enhances listeneing pleasure. That's what it said on the tin.
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8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars The Classic FM Hall of Fame 8 Jun 2011
By William N. Ruffell
Format:Hardcover
This is an excellent hard backed book very well presented listing Classic FM audience choice over several years. There are some surprises like Saint-Saens Piano Concerto No.2 which has not been included apparently in the annual list for 5 years, but it is back in the current list now. There are record recommendations for all the 300 items in the list which is useful and details on all the selected 300 items. A very useful book for those interested in classical and film music. John Ruffell
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Hall of Fame - deserves its fame! 1 Dec 2012
By Mr. M. S. Bentley
Format:Hardcover
A must read for all lovers of classical music and the classic fm programmes. Lots of fascinating snippets as well as good detail.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Review of the Classic fM Hall of Fame. 18 April 2012
By Vinyl junkie
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book is beautifully bound and contains 28 full page colour " modern art " illustrations of some of the works featured in the book. There is a chart which lists the top 300 most popular works according to Classic FM listeners during the fifteen years from 1996 to 2010 and then the book gives background notes to each of these works under the relevant composer headings which are presented in alphabetical order. There is a full page profile on many of the composers featured. In addition, each work has a recommended CD recording and there are other charts viz " Top Composers ", " Top 10 Operas ", " Top 10 Relaxing classics ", " Top 10 British Composers ", " Top 10 Works by Living Composers " , " 25 Recordings You Should Own. " A joy to read.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Just Brilliant 9 April 2012
By Mrs. J. L. Wood
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I ordered this book from Amazon for my Christmas present from hubby and kids. I've sat listening to Hall Of Fame on ClassicFM this Easter weekend (2012) and got so much extra pleasure from the music. I was a musician many years ago and still miss being a part of an orchestra. This book has reminded me of things I knew once but had forgotten; and a lot more I'm learning new. It's perfect for anyone has a bit of musical knowledge like me or someone with none. I also love that each piece has a recommended recording which includes the record company and product number.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Classic fm
I gave this to my brother who is nut's on classical music, I gather it is very authorative and useful.
Published 2 months ago by steve r wood
5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent reference
I would recommend this book (or its updated equivalents) to anyone with an interest in classical music. Read more
Published 2 months ago by J David Sargeant
5.0 out of 5 stars book review
Classic FM is my favourite radio programme. This book is excellent to read up on music and the composers,a good purchase.
Published 2 months ago by Hilary Brown
4.0 out of 5 stars Useful starting point
Not at all useful for academic purposes, but a good read for those interested. Makes a good starting point for researching a particular piece, dates and context etc.
Published 3 months ago by Anon.
4.0 out of 5 stars Good but limited quantity
Good for a novice but tends to be a very brief description of many pieces and like the Radio station is a subjective "best of" selection.
Published 12 months ago by Mr. Ian Gillibrand
4.0 out of 5 stars Very useful
This is a very nicely produced book that does just what it says - it tells you a bit about all the pieces in the Classic FM top 300 chart. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Picky reader
5.0 out of 5 stars A Classical Enthusiast's Must-Have
I thoroughly recommend this book, both as a reference document and a good read. A statistical masterpiece of Classical Works' popularity over 15 years resulting in 300 items which... Read more
Published 17 months ago by Mr. N. G. Timmins
1.0 out of 5 stars Classic FM Hall of Fame Book vs Kindle version
Alas, it is not clear whether storage space and cheaper price are the only advantages of the Kindle version just released of this book. Read more
Published 17 months ago by George
4.0 out of 5 stars roll over beethoven
A christmas present, just what was wanted, excellent delivery service. Recommended for quality, and service. Thank you Amazon I shall be ordering more.
Published 19 months ago by dai
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