The Harmony Illustrated Encyclopedia of Classical Music [Paperback]

Peter Gammond (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 12, 1988

This is the essential classical music reference book, packed with information to satisfy all classical music lovers. There are 300 illustrations plus 400 entries including opera, chamber music, & choral music. The book is well organized by subject making it easy to find information major works, great conductors, & leading opera singers. Contents: (main headings only) ? The orchestra ? The opera ? The composer ? Chamber music ? Musical instruments ? Choral & vocal music ? Medieval & Renaissance music ? Reading & using music ? Recorded music

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Three Rivers Press; 2 Sub edition (December 12, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0517570947
• ISBN-13: 978-0517570944
• Product Dimensions: 11.7 x 8.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,178,956 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best introduction to classical music that I know of, June 10, 2006

By 

M. A. Scott "Rock and Classical music fan" (Kansas, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Harmony Illustrated Encyclopedia of Classical Music (Paperback)

I started getting a little bit curious about classical music back in about 1989, but I didn't know what the great pieces of classical music were, when I saw Harmony Illustrated Encyclopedia of Classical Music on the shelf of one of the malls book stores. I knew it was for me because it was big and beautifully illustrated. I liked it, also, because it gave what was their opinion of who the top 30 or so conductors off all-time were and who they thought were the top 30 orchestras and also what the best symphonies, concertos, tone poems, and chamber music were. Just about everything that is hugely popular in those catagories of classical music. For you Opera lovers, there is a section on the greatest Opera's also. Most of the pieces it recommends are mainly by the most famous composers like Haydn, Schumann, Shostakovich, Sibelius, Bartok, Tchaikovsky, Beethoven, Mozart, Brahms, Mendelssohn, Mahler, Bruckner, and a few that I'm forgetting, but also, a few of the more obscure composers are noted. So if you want to get into classical music but don't know what the best pieces are or what are the great conductors and what orchestra's to look for, this encyclopedia will help you immensely in your task to find the right cds to look for in the music stores. A few Amazon sellers are selling it for like $1.03 which is a superb deal to me. Just buy this book and you'll fall in love with it and classical music. Enjoy!!!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Single Most Useful One-Volume Reference Book for Lovers of the World's Greatest Music, February 9, 2008

By 

Thomas M. Loarie (Danville, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Harmony Illustrated Encyclopedia of Classical Music (Paperback)

Peter Gammond's "The Harmony Illustrated Encyclopedia of Classical Music" (Second Edition, 1988) is a terrific reference book for those who enjoy classical music but lack a formal education in classical music. I was fortunate to pick up a copy over 10 years ago; I use it on a regular basis. It is the essential classical music reference book, packed with information to satisfy most all classical music lovers.

Gammond begins with an overview of the Orchestra (includes ballet) and then, the Opera, complete with its history, great musical works, composers, and leading artists. "Classical Music" is well organized; finding information on major works, great conductors, and leading opera singers is easy.

Gammond also includes sections on how composers work, chamber music, musical instruments, choral and vocal music, Medieval and Renaissance Music, the elements of music, and recorded music. "Classical" has 300 illustrations and 400 entries.

Peter Gammond is the author of more than thirty-five music reference books including the Oxford Companion to Classical Music and books about Mozart, Schubert, Offenbach, and Scott Joplin. This book is hard to find. Consider yourself lucky if you can find one and, particularly, one in good condition. This, too, is a classic.