Listening to Music [Paperback]

Jay Zorn (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0130359165 | ISBN-13: 978-0130359162 | Publication Date: December 27, 1994 | Edition: 2 Sub

Designed especially for students with very little background in Western concert music, this book/cassette (or CD) package focuses on learning how to listen and understand music that spans periods from 600 up to the present. It sets each major musical period in its social, historical and economic milieu. This edition provides greater emphasis on women composers and artists, as well as featuring several new appendices and an improved illustration programme (photos and graphics) throughout. It should be suitable for first and second year students on courses in music appreciation and introduction to music.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Designed especially for students with very little background in Western concert music, this book/cassette (or CD) package focuses on learning how to listen to and understand music that spans periods from 600 up to the present. Using a lively style and an appealing context, it sets each major musical period in its social, historical, and economic milieu. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Back Cover

Key Benefit: Focuses on learning how to listen to and understand music that spans periods from 600 up to the present. Key Topics: Features 34 Listening Insight boxes —that explain each major listening style in terms of “how to listen to each style” — what to listen to and for. Comes complete with either 2-cassette tapes or 4 CDs — featuring 35 full-length recorded examples and gives more emphasis to women composers and artists. Less emphasis on very early music and more on traditional, mainstream classics and the works of 20th century American composers, jazz, Broadway musicals, and film music.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall College Div; 2 Sub edition (December 27, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0130359165
• ISBN-13: 978-0130359162
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,906,363 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for beginners and those who want more understanding, August 25, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Listening to Music (3rd Edition) (Paperback)

Very well organized. The reader will never become lost in it. Excellent choices of musical examples. Martin Bookspan's commentary is superb.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Listening To Music, August 2, 2000

By 

Dr. Martha J. Reeder (Little Rock, Arkansas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Listening to Music (Paperback)

I like this book because it is concise and uncomplicated. Itpresents the material in a logical sequence. I am impressed that it stresses the importance of becoming an "aware" concert goer. Most musicians discount the fact their audiences must be educated to really enjoy and support the arts.

The book covers many major works and gives listening guides to help the student follow and understand the works. The works selected show a very nice cross-section of different styles. I am considering using this book, at least as a reference source in an introductory music literature course that I teach.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Classics made easy!, September 23, 2009

By 

James B. Wasden "trreelover" (vancouver, washington) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Listening to Music (5th Edition) (Paperback)

If you thot the classics were difficult and boring, well think again! This books bring them alive, and provides a beginner's understanding of just what the classics can mean to anyone. This book is both educational, as well as inspiring - even to anyone on a desert island for the past 50 years. I only wish the opera offering(s) were more extensive;maybe Zorn and August should write a similar version exclusively for opera - I wish they would. This text was required reading for a summer school class at our local Clark College, but it has become a key volume in my meager musical library, and will be referred to often.