Anthology of Classical Music (The Norton Introduction to Music History) [Paperback]

Philip G. Downs (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0393952096 | ISBN-13: 978-0393952094 | Publication Date: October 17, 1992

For this carefully selected anthology, the author of Classical Music has chosen representative works from the eighteenth and early-nineteenth centuries. All seventy-six selections--complete pieces, movements, or integral sections--are discussed at length in the companion text.

All genres, styles, and instrumental combinations are included. The minor composers who labored industriously throughout Europe to supply the growing audiences with the latest in musical fashion are generously represented. For the geniuses of the period, Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven, there are examples of all the major forms in which each worked. The very clearest, most authentic editions are used in all cases and most of the works are available on commerical recordings. A glossary of terms found in the scores is included.

Product Details

• Paperback: 576 pages
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company (October 17, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0393952096
• ISBN-13: 978-0393952094
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #93,864 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It is what it is--a companion to Downs' book, November 15, 2004

By 

T. Sparfeld (Miami, FL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Anthology of Classical Music (The Norton Introduction to Music History) (Paperback)

This book is a companion to Downs' book Classical Music, and is not meant as a stand alone book.

The book contains 76 selections from the Classic period (c. 1760-1830). About half of the selections are from the big three (Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven), while the rest contains selections from composers such as CPE Bach, Clementi, Scarlatti, John Field, and others.

There is no text and analysis of the pieces, just the music. Downs does a good job of selecting different genres of pieces, from string quartets to symphonies to keyboard pieces. The only complaint (not Downs' fault) is that some of the editions are awfully nasty to read, especially those of more obscure composers. Hopefully one day some scholars will clean up those old editions.

I suppose one can purchase this anthology without buying the book, but there's little point. Unless there's something in here you can't find that you HAVE to have, you can get most of this music full-size for much less.

0 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Downs Classical, September 25, 2009

By 

David M. Maddalon (Las Vegas, NV) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Anthology of Classical Music (The Norton Introduction to Music History) (Paperback)

To have spent as much as I did on this book, (over $35!) I thought it would be in good condition, but when I opened it up, half the pages fell out and there is writing all over the book. If I didn't need the book now, for this semester's school class, I would've sent it back and demanded my money back! This is a disgrace to have bought something so expensive from a reputable company (Amazon) and have the book fall apart in a Master's Degree class is nothing short of embarrassing and shame for being taken as a fool. I doubt that I will ever purchase from Amazon again with this kind of garbage! Please check the sellers' stuff as best as you can and don't do business with the people who will give Amazon a bad reputation, which is already tarnished now. Most unfortunate!