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105 of 107 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brainy, detailed, thorough..., February 16, 2004
This review is from: Classical Music 101: A Complete Guide to Learning and Loving Classical Music (Paperback)
"Classical Music 101" is a great book, but there are a few caveats, which I will get to at the end of my review. First off, this book examines--culturally and commercially--the place that classical music holds in today's world. Next, it breaks down classical music into its constitutive elements: how individual instruments produce sound; how the individual sounds of instruments come together in various orchestral formats; what role the conductor plays; and how the elusive art of active listening can be perfected. There is specific scrutiny of several representative musical works, a discography of recommended recordings, and an appendix listing concert venues all over the world. The best aspect of the work is how it attacks, frequently and energetically, the question of why classical music matters. Plotkin has some great answers, and they are heartfelt rather than pat. The whole work is suffused with Plotkin's great knowledge and attention to detail. There are all manner of fascinating "insider" details--such as why the number of classical recordings continues to wither while record-company profits go up--that are the icing on this detail-rich cake. There are some warnings, however. First, the typeface is troublingly small. People who have a hard time reading fine print should avoid this book. Second, this is a book is NOT a quick, breezy read (think "Classical Music for Dummies"), so if you don't want to work a little, skip it. Plotkin asks you to think and reflect, which is great--but there are less challenging classical-music guides on the market. In the end, I believe the attentive reader of this book will be richly rewarded. Ploktin might easily make you into a lifelong classical music fan.
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35 of 36 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A New Classical Music Convert, December 6, 2005
This review is from: Classical Music 101: A Complete Guide to Learning and Loving Classical Music (Paperback)
At its core this book teaches you how to listen to classical music. The general format of the book is giving some theory and history, and then has you listen to a piece of music. The author then explains the music and also tells you what to listen for.
For example the book starts off by developing your listening skills. You'll learn about various instruments in the orchestra and then listen to a few recordings. Then the author teaches you how to interpret the music, and how to form your own ideas about it.
Once the foundation is laid, you'll learn how to listen to symphonies by various composers. After that you'll focus on music for a specific instrument - piano, strings, woodwinds, brass and percussion. The last section of the book is about how to listen to vocal music and how to feel music.
One thing to beware of is that you will need access to the music to get the full benefit of the book. I personally used the online music service Rhapsody which had most pieces of music. Another thing is this book is not a quick read, so be prepared to spend a lot of time listening to music.
If you a beginner to classical music I highly recommend this book.
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35 of 37 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Classical Music 101: A Complete Guide to Learning and ..., October 15, 2002
This review is from: Classical Music 101: A Complete Guide to Learning and Loving Classical Music (Paperback)
As in his "Opera 101", Plotkin gives us a book that is helpful to the expert as well as the novice. And as in "Opera 101", "Classical Music 101" would be a good textbook for high school or University classes. Mr. Plotkin is at once studious and entertaining in his prose and one gets the impression that he is not a classical music snob. It seems very important to him to share his love of this music with others who may not have had the chance to know it. This book has great depth as well as breadth. For the person who wants to "get to know" classical music better, or at all, Mr. Plotkin leads the reader on a gentle and illuminating tour.
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