Evenings with the Orchestra: A Norton Companion for Concertgoers (First) [Hardcover]

D. Kern Holoman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 1994 | ISBN-10: 0393029360 | ISBN-13: 978-0393029369 | Edition: 1st

This compendium of information on the symphony orchestra describes the periods of musical history, the make-up of an orchestra, famous conductors and frequently-used musical terms. It includes biographical sketches on the major orchestral works of composers from Bach to Webern.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

In his delightful and well-nigh-indispensable style sheet Writing About Music (Berkley, 1988), Holoman offers sensible guidelines on just about every aspect of music-related prose, including how to write effective program notes. Now in this present volume, he demonstrates that he practices what he preaches. Essentially a compilation of some 200 of the author's program notes for the Sacramento Symphony, it is a gem of a book. There is much to enjoy here for concert-goers of all levels of sophistication. In addition to essays on the standard orchestral repertory, there are excellent notes for a number of significant contemporary compositions. Program notes are often pretentious and self-indulgent, but these are generally models of directness, clarity, and good sense. Strunk and White would be pleased. Highly recommended.
- Eugene Gaub, Villa Maria Coll., Buffalo, N.Y.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 756 pages
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company; 1st edition (August 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0393029360
• ISBN-13: 978-0393029369
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.4 x 1.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,126,631 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An easy, accessable guide to concert-going & classical music, June 5, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Evenings with the Orchestra: A Norton Companion for Concertgoers (First) (Hardcover)

Writing as a librarian, former music major, and classical music lover, I believe I can honestly say that "Evenings with the Orchestra" is one of the best, most readable guides to the whole classical music experience I've ever read. Everything, from proper concert hall behavior, to the great composers and their most often-heard works, to profiles of the great orchestras and conductors, is discussed in a straightforward, fascinating style. If you're a beginning classical music lover, this book will be an invaluable guide. If you're experienced with the classics, this book will only serve to enhance your enjoyment. Highly recommended!

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for any concertgoer and giant classical music fan!, February 24, 2003

By 

Josh P. - See all my reviews

This review is from: Evenings with the Orchestra: A Norton Companion for Concertgoers (First) (Hardcover)

I've had this book with me ever since I was a child. The reason being is because I listened to a lot classical music as a kid. In this book there are dozens of composers listed from Bach to Webern and it tells you about their lives, shows some of their greatest compoistions, when they were written, published, written for, and how long they are and tells stories about each composition, too. This is what the bulk of the book is. It also includes musical theory, the proper behavior and apparel for a concert and some famous orchestras and conductors. This is something you must have if you're a big classical music fan. The only flaw this book has is not every composer is listed, for example Fernando Sor and the ones who didn't compose numerous pieces like Haydn, Mozart, Bach, Beethoven, and the countless others. Definitive!