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Product Description
MAKE A SOUND INVESTMENT IN CLASSICAL MUSIC
Who are the ten most important classical composers? Who in the world was Palestrina? Why did Stravinsky's "Rite of Spring" cause a riot? Which five of each important composer's works should you buy? What is a concerto and how does it differ from a sonata?
Maybe you don't know the answers to these questions; author Phil Goulding certainly didn't. When Goulding first tried to learn about classical music, he found himself buried in an avalanche of technical terms and complicated jargon--so he decided to write the book he couldn't find.
The result is a complete classical music education in one volume. Comprehensive, discriminating, and delightfully irreverent, Classical Music provides such essential information as:
* Rankings of the top 50 composers (Bach is #1. Borodin is #50)
* A detailed and anecdotal look at each composer's life and work
* The five primary works of each composer and specific recommended CDs for each.
* Further great works of each composer--if you really like him
* Concise explanations of musical terminology, forms, and periods
* A guide to the parts and history of the symphony orchestra
"This book uses every conceivable gimmick to immerse readers in the richness of classical music: lists, rankings, sidebars devoted to lively anecdotes, and catchy leads."
--The Washington Post
"One terrific music appreciation book...The information is surprisingly detailed but concisely presented. Goulding's writing style is breezy yet mature....[He] has raised music appreciation from a racket to a service."
--The Arizona Daily Star
Who are the ten most important classical composers? Who in the world was Palestrina? Why did Stravinsky's "Rite of Spring" cause a riot? Which five of each important composer's works should you buy? What is a concerto and how does it differ from a sonata?
Maybe you don't know the answers to these questions; author Phil Goulding certainly didn't. When Goulding first tried to learn about classical music, he found himself buried in an avalanche of technical terms and complicated jargon--so he decided to write the book he couldn't find.
The result is a complete classical music education in one volume. Comprehensive, discriminating, and delightfully irreverent, Classical Music provides such essential information as:
* Rankings of the top 50 composers (Bach is #1. Borodin is #50)
* A detailed and anecdotal look at each composer's life and work
* The five primary works of each composer and specific recommended CDs for each.
* Further great works of each composer--if you really like him
* Concise explanations of musical terminology, forms, and periods
* A guide to the parts and history of the symphony orchestra
"This book uses every conceivable gimmick to immerse readers in the richness of classical music: lists, rankings, sidebars devoted to lively anecdotes, and catchy leads."
--The Washington Post
"One terrific music appreciation book...The information is surprisingly detailed but concisely presented. Goulding's writing style is breezy yet mature....[He] has raised music appreciation from a racket to a service."
--The Arizona Daily Star
Inside This Book
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First Sentence
My approach to selecting The 50 Greatest Composers of Classical Music was to let the chips fall where they might. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
My approach to selecting The 50 Greatest Composers of Classical Music was to let the chips fall where they might. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
21 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book is a small treasure, especialy if you are appreciating classical music but want to learn more about it. The book tells the intriguing life stories of 50 composers (some would argue if all are realy 'great', but everybody will find some of their liking) and recommends various levels of building a classical library (starting with 5 recordings and up to 20 recommended recording - hence the title reference to 1000 recording). You can use the book to find more composers you may like, more recordings of your favourite composers or just as a good reading book. Highly recommended.
28 of 31 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book is a gem. It is perfect for someone who knows little about classical music and doesn't know where to start, and it is also a must-have for any lover of classical music. The book is packed with detail and very well-written. The author makes the subject fun and colourful by including anecdotes and other personal information about the composers and by ranking them and comparing them in a funny way that really works well. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
If you are looking for one book to introduce you to the wide and varied world of classical music with all its eccentric characters, then look no further. The top 50 list he produces is a subjective one, but the author is quite clear about this and offers many alternatives as well as giving a comprehensive summary of many he did not include in the Big 50.
The most useful aspect of this book, in my opinion, is the list of suggested material for each composer and the author's comments on that material. Goulding does an excellent job in maintaining a balance between his own musical tastes, those of the musical establishment and enthusiasts for particular composers. He uses an anecdotal writing style that makes the bulk of the book more easily digestable and entertaining. In summary, this is a book full of personality that manages to be jam packed full of information nonetheless.
The most useful aspect of this book, in my opinion, is the list of suggested material for each composer and the author's comments on that material. Goulding does an excellent job in maintaining a balance between his own musical tastes, those of the musical establishment and enthusiasts for particular composers. He uses an anecdotal writing style that makes the bulk of the book more easily digestable and entertaining. In summary, this is a book full of personality that manages to be jam packed full of information nonetheless.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Witty and helpful intro to classical music
For someone like me who started reading with a fairly minimal knowledge of classical music this book is a fine introduction to the subject, written with not a little humour. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Celtic critic
This book changed my life!
I bought this book back in 1993 because I always loved classical music but knew very little about it. I cannot say enough good things about Goulding's work. Read more
Published on 18 Jun 1999
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