The Joy of Music Leonard Bernstein (Paperback)

~ Leonard Bernstein (Composer) "EVER since I can remember I have talked about music, with friends, colleagues, teachers, students, and just plain, simple citizens..." (more)
Key Phrases: tonic home plate, poco sostenuto, chorale tune, New York, Universal Edition, Sweet Sue (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

" . . . Bernstein's insights . . . still are as pointed and relevant as they were when [the book] first came out." -- The Bookwatch, April 2005

"This collection of conversations on the meaning and wonder of music is a must-have for . . . music fans . . .". -- Stringendo, Vol. 27 Number 1

Product Description

Leonard Bernstein was one of the twentieth century’s preeminent American composers. This classic work, perhaps the maestro’s finest collection of conversations on the meaning and wonder of music, is now available in this special reprinting with a foreword from Pulitzer Prize-winning writer and Washington Post music critic Tim Page. Nearly fifteen years after Bernstein’s death, The Joy of Music continues to be a must-have for all music fans—both inside and outside of the classroom—who wish to experience music more fully and deeply through one of the most inspired, and inspiring, music intellects of our time.

Employing the creative device of "Imaginary Conversations" in the first section of his book, Bernstein illuminates the importance of the symphony in America, the greatness of Beethoven, and the art of composing. The book also includes a photo section and a third section with the transcripts from his televised Omnibus music series, including "Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony," "The World of Jazz," "Introduction to Modern Music," and "What Makes Opera Grand."

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Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Amadeus Press (December 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1574671049
• ISBN-13: 978-1574671049
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #64,889 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A true Renaissance man, April 4, 2004

By	T. Sparfeld (Miami, FL) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Joy Of Music (Hardcover)

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.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very intelligent and insightful dicussion of music., May 29, 1996

By A Customer

This review is from: Joy of Music, The (Paperback)

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.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Joy of Music---a thorough and inspired work, January 24, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Joy Of Music (Hardcover)

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.