Customer Reviews

The Joy of Music (A Fireside book)

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Leonard Bernstein excelled at everything he tried--he was a fantastic conductor, composer, and writer. From popular music from West Side Story to jazz to "serious art music" like Chichester Psalms and his Mass, Bernstein was never constrained by any seeming limitations. This book is a compilation Bernstein's writings. The first section consists of dialogues between Bernstein and several imaginary characters regarding society's philosophy of music. These discussions are quite intellectual and thought-provoking. The second section contains seven television transcripts about subjects ranging from Musical Theater to J.S. Bach. This half is much more accessible and a breeze to read. If you can't read music, you would enjoy getting CDs of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony, Brahms' First Symphony, and Bach's St. Matthew Passion before curling up with this book. It will enhance your enjoyment of Bernstein's exciting descriptions, and will make them come to life.

This is a great book for those who wish to know how a composer/conductor thinks about music. The discussion presented is witty, intelligent and very insightful. My only problem with the book is that it should be accompanied by a CD or video tape. All of the examples are presented as written music. If you can't read and play/sing the music in the book you will have only a vague idea of the point the author is trying to make.

This is a complete, lucid, approachable and vibrant book. The dialogues at the beginning reveal the many facets of Bernstein's character and of his startling brilliance, and the section on modern music should not be missed. Of course, for the sections taken from his Omnibus television programs, the textual medium can only inform the reader what would be happening on screen, and those descriptions probably lack the power of audio-visual aids. It is, however, a work that any student of music, or any lover of music, would be able to take for granted in a Perfect World.

I've had this book for a couple of decades in the original hardback version. It's a reminder to me of what I watched, live on television back in the fifties, when television had "culture." His Omnibus lectures were thrilling to behold and I wish dearly they were on dvd. His description of how perfect the Fifth was defies description; you had to have seen him use musicians as notes and move them around to show what happened if one note had changed. Or how a little discussion around a table with a man and a woman becomes something else again when sung (La Boheme) or explaining about a piece concerning a little nightengale when introducing Stravinsky.

The man was pure genious and millions of Americans became interested in classical music through this man. This teenaged girl did.

This is Leonard Bernsteain at his best. It's a fun book, an engaging and fascinating book. All the Bernstein wit and wisdom is here. It's a book for both musicians and those wanting to learn about music in a fun way.

You won't regret spending time or money on this gem.

I myself am a commentator on Classical Music on Television, and Leonard Bernstein, thanks to this book and to his "The Infinite Variety of Music",
has been always my inspiration, model and idol.- Inspite of the years, these talks have not lost any of their charme and intelligence and continue to be valid.- Highly recommended to every music-lover.-

Great book. All music lovers should read this...great overview and detailed look at composer's process and insights into many of the musical worlds great masterpieces. Leonard Bernstein is able to teach complex subjects so that average music listeners can understand the points he makes and advanced music students can derive greater understanding. It is a pleasure to be able to share this man's insights and genius.

One element to brings all of us together is the connection to music. In his book, The Joy of Music, Bernstein attempts to define in detail steps the components of a fine orchestra.
His layered approach in this book, gives insight to this very complex process. From a bit of a history of the tunes to the notes and the actual process of composition.
One of our times greatest conductor's and composers, Bernstein begins a dialogue on the evolution and complexity of creating the angelic sounds of an orchestra.

A must read for music educators and students. Bernstein covers a lot of topics, one of which is conducting, and as a future K-12 Music educator I find it very helpful and encouraging. Bernstein also covers, Jazz, comedy and modern music all of which I plan on bringing into my classroom. Oh, and the price is just right.