Customer Reviews

Concise History of Western Music (Third Edition)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I've used this book for Music History 1 and 2, and after having spent the past year studying from this book regularly, I have to say it is one of the worst textbooks I have ever used. When reading, it becomes obvious very quickly that the text has been condensed from a much larger work, and the author has very little knowledge about the material itself. The language is flowery and vague, and the author spends most of her time simply praising the composer or the work as "wonderful", "influential", "brilliant", and all kinds of other useless adjectives. I've spent hours reading this book only to begin a test that asks for an essay on Brahms and realize how painfully little I actually know about him. You will read through several pages on a composer only to learn the most basic facts about his life, and a short list of works he composed. The rest is garbage. The accessibility of the language is tempting, but save yourself hours of wasted time and find a different book.

This is an excellent music text for junior college use. The content is a reworking of Grout's original groundbreaking research, as presented in the eighth edition of A HISTORY OF WESTERN MUSIC (2010). Hanning's treatment of key ideas, facts, composers, musical examples, cultural influences, is grand. Students, likewise, can tap into online assistance--study guides, chapter outlines, streamed musical examples, and so forth--in the publisher's Study Space at Norton's web site. In all, the cost and additional aids adds up to a great bargin and lots of musical insight in the offing.

I had to buy this book for my Music History class and I absolutely hate it. Also, I am disappointed because this does not come with the Listening Guide like the book says, it is just a workbook to try and keep you on track with what the Chapters were supposed to teach you. Unfortunately, from the text book you can't answer most of the questions in the guide. Like others have said, the language of the text book is incredibly vague. Important terms are not explained well within the Chapters or in the glossary. This book and the text book are a complete waste of money!

If you HAVE to buy this book for school. Do future students a favor and express your hatred for the book when you have teacher evaluations. Unfortunately, there are few if any good Music history text books. So, if you have a music degree, know much about Music History and can write a straight-forward, easy to read book, you could make a killing in writing a college Music History book.

I have been using Hanning's Concise History Vol. 2 in my Music History classes. I have found it an excellent tool. She uses standard excerpts often throughout the text with original manuscript citings and easily understood analyses. Each of the chapters begins with an excellent overview and ends with a review. Both are a strong broad cross section of historic context. Excellent period artwork in full color is included.

The teachers manual gives a good overview and can be used in class to teach from. The quizzes are appropriate and emphasize material that is most significant to each chapter. If I were to write a manual I would want to include what she has.

The anthology, CD and print, are well done and affordable. I have found the recordings she uses to be excellent in quality and fitting to each of the periods. I have struggles with this in other publisher's works especially with regard to the price. My students have told me they listen to these CDs long after the class has ended.

I do wish there was more from the current period, especially with regard for Rock, Pop and Contemporary Christian Music Culture. That said I think Hanning has done an exceptional job in capturing a concise history of western music culture.

I know the author of this book and took a class with her. She is quite knowledgable. This book goes well as a compliment to the Western Anthology of Music to expand upon the scores and history. There are many pictures within this book that help to visualize the feel of the time periods and movements in art. It can be useful to see the parallels in music and visual art.

This was required for Music History 1 and 2, but it is interesting book for others to read, also, especially if one of your children is a music major. For a textbook this is quite enjoyable reading and helps us to be more knowledgeable in family discussions or hearing recitals, etc. You definitely enjoy music more when you have more understanding of its development.

My son needed this book for a class. The price was better than offered at school. It arrived quickly and as described.

I'll add that the book is riddled with errors and the format -- a condensed version of a larger text -- simply doesn't work. Students frequently complain about the symbols for the two CD set possibilities, and the author seems to jump around in an unintelligible manner in the early music sections. I will drop this textbook from my courses as soon as possible.

I highly recommend this musical expert for both her teaching and writing. "The Concise History of Western Music" is not only concise but thorough and serves as a great aid to study for comprehensive exams. Barbara Russano Hanning teaches in such a way that the student becomes interested and inspired to delve more deeply into the learning process. The chapters range from ancient music to music of the present moment and the introduction and conclusion of each chapter are organized as a great aid for memory. Art work and windows with timelines and additional interesting information supplement the body of the text. One comes away with a greater understanding of the interaction of the musical works with the cultural, social and political environments of the composers in their respective historical periods. This textbook just might inspire you to make the study of Music a lifelong journey.

Upon given one of the most difficult to read textbooks for a music history class, I found this book to be a true lifesaver! This book is very concise, well-written, and very presentable. The format of every page is presented in such a way that it captures the eye. I love this book!