Customer Reviews

The NPR Curious Listener's Guide to Classical Music

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

 

 

This book reminds me of the old saying that "a camel is a horse built by a committee." This text isn't quite right for either beginners or intermediate lovers of classical music. It's not user-friendly or clever enough for beginners, and it's too thin and too passionless for intermediates. It's perfectly okay, but falls well short of the competition.

There are lots of really good classical-music guides on the market, however. Some fun, not-too-taxing ones are Marcus Weeks' "Music: A Crash Course" and Phil G. Golding's "Classical Music." Each of these is fun and fresh.

If you want something more substantive and brainy that will allow you to show off at your next embassy cocktail party, try Fred Plotkin's "Classical Music 101" or Jan Swafford's "The Vintage Guide to Classical Music." Plotkin's is better, but a bit stiff, and Swafford's has many more illustrations.

The very best is, believe it or not, is David Pogue's and Scott Speck's "Classical Music for Dummies." It comes with a good audio CD of sample classical tracks, and the two authors are both professional musicians and very bright people. It's a real and helpful treat.

I found this to be a very helpful, friendly over-all guide to classical music. It contains brief descriptions of major works, capsule bios of well-known composers, and lots of helpful information presented in an easy to understand, down to earth manner. As a novice to this type of music, I found the vast world of Classical repertoire a bit intimidating, but Mr. Smith is not the least bit pretentious, and I found his writings warm and welcoming. I'm sure that even seasoned classical music fans will find this book a handy reference.

I found this book to be a pleasent introduction to a greater understanding of the genre of classical music. It is helpful, but not necessary, to have some understanding of music theory. Knowing what such things as polyphony and monophony are about all that you need to know. The introduction nicley summarizes the book's theme. This is a much better and cheaper way to get introduced to classical music then through such other books as "Classical Music for Dummies," or the "Idiot's Guide to Classical Music." The only thing I found somewhat questionable about this book was the choice of cd's that have been selected for one to build a collection with; otherwise, this book is a valuble resource for liteners be they curious or even casual. For those serious about classical music this book will seem too elemental for their tastes.

Tim Smith, Music Critic of the BALTIMORE SUN, is one of the nation's most enlivening and insightful commentators on classical music. It is not surprising, then, that this 2002 publication of Grand Central Press makes for interesting and enjoyable reading. It fills a distinct niche in the literature. Written not for the complete neophyte, but rather for the listener who has discovered classical music, and who has learned to enjoy and love that which he or she has thus far heard . . . it is a book which encourages the reader to explore more widely, and to listen to the major works of the repertory--and a few not quite so main stream.

As with any writer, there is room to quibble with some of Smith's opinions, but in the main, there is nothing here not based in solid scholarship. For me, the highly select recommendations for possible compact disc purchase raised my eyebrows the highest. Talk about an area where devotees can disagree!! Still, tho' I would not have chosen many (most?) of the recordings Smith chose, I could understand WHY he chose them from among those readily available to his reading public.

This book renders a valuable service and will remain on my library shelves.

Just like NPR's Curious Listener's Guide to Opera, this book is a great starting guide for those interested in learning more about Classical Music. What is an Aria? What re there 3 movements in a single composition? All these questions and many more you would have never thought about are answered. You come away with new knowledge about Classical Music and it's importance, both historically and personally.

To say I was disappointed in this "guide" is an understatement. I expected so much more from NPR. I live in New Orleans and lost a lot of my books in the flood following Katrina, so I needed a new classical music reference. This one is not at all useful to me.

Full of flabby generalities, misstatements, and defensive assurances that classical music isn't elitist. The author unnecessarily compares classical music to musical styles about which he evidently knows nothing. With friends like this, classical music needs no enemies.