Young Person's Guide to Music [Hardcover]

Poul Ruders (Author), Neil Ardley (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up

In association with the BBC Symphony Orchestra, A Young Person's Guide to Music is a combination package that makes music accessible and fun. The first part of the book deals with the orchestra, its structure, and the role of the conductor. Symbols in the text tell the reader when to listen to specific tracks on the CD that relate directly to the text. The second part uses illustrated timelines to chart the lives of famous composers and performers, and pinpoints important musical developments.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-9?This relatively unique interactive guide to the orchestra is a combination of book and compact disk. The CD features a new work by the Dutch composer Poul Ruders called Concerto in Pieces, a variation on the "The Witch's Chorus" from Henry Purcell's Dido and Aeneas. The lively piece is first performed in its entirety, and then taken apart instrument by instrument. Symbols in the text show readers when to turn on the CD player and hear the particular instrument shown on that page; there is a helpful musical index to the CD, as well. The text itself has facts on the orchestra as a whole, the conductor, composer, and each instrument. General information on how each group of instruments works, be it brass or strings, is provided. The full-color photographs and reproductions are of high quality. A history section features a timeline, names of musicians and composers, definitions of musical forms with examples, and a glossary. Overall, this is an attractive addition. However, there might be a problem determining where to place it within the library, and it will not be as useful if the CD becomes separated from the book.?Robin Works Davis, Hurst Public Library, TX
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 5^-8. With a broad theme of classical music and a specific focus on one performance that can be heard on the accompanying compact disc, this book offers music students a range of options. The book's first part, "Making Music," briefly discusses each instrument and places it within its family (stringed, woodwind, brass instruments, etc.). Clear photographs show musicians playing the instruments, and diagrams show how the sounds are created. Readers are directed to play a track on the enclosed CD to hear each instrument played. The second part of the book surveys the history of classical music, which is divided into periods such as ancient, baroque, and modern. Small photos or artworks accompany short descriptions of significant musical events. The music on the compact disc, which fits into the cover of this large-format book, is Poul Ruders' Concerto in Pieces, composed with 10 variations on a theme from Purcell, each highlighting a different section of the orchestra. BBC Orchestra conductor Andrew Davis then discusses the work, illustrating ideas with excerpts from the piece. A rich resource for young people who want to understand orchestral music. Carolyn Phelan

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 80 pages
• Publisher: DK CHILDREN; Book & CD edition (September 9, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0789403137
• ISBN-13: 978-0789403131
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,862,415 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great book to start study of instruments!, April 27, 2000

By 

Donna - See all my reviews

This review is from: Young Person's Guide to Music (Hardcover)

I used this with my children (ages 2-13) in 1999 as an introduction to different musical instruments. We enjoyed the photos of instruments being played, diagrams to clarify details, and historical information on the instruments. In the first 51 pages called Making Music, topics covered are the orchestra, conductor, composer, groups of instruments (stringed, woodwind, brass, percussion, and keyboard), and chamber music. Each instument section includes how the instruments actually make the sounds and is correlated to the CD. I wish the CD tracks could have been longer and sometimes the track included several instruments playing. It was hard to just pick out a particular instrument, especially for the younger children.

The music on the CD is Concerto in Pieces by Poul Ruders played by the BBC Symphony Orchestra and conducted by Andrew Davis. In the composer section there are photos of Ruders working on this score, in the orchestra section there are photos of the BBC Symphony Orchestra, and in the conductor section there are photos of Andrew Davis conducting.

Part 2 is the History of Music. We enjoyed an interesting timeline with historic art from 40,000 BC to 2000 AD. (Since they have so little information, it really starts in 2600 BC.) Major divisions are ancient, medieval, baroque, classical, romantic, and national music. A reference section on composers, musical forms, and a glossary of musical terms completes the book.

I didn't really care for the CD, especially now having listened to it many, many times through. I wish it could have more clearly indicated individual instruments too.

I think this was a good start in our study of musical instruments. The children were interested in reading from it each day (2-4 pages per day). They enjoyed the diagrams and seeing the instruments. The CD added to the book. I just think it could have been better.

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An Inspiring Product, April 9, 2007

By 

R. Rogers (Houston, Texas USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Young Person's Guide to Music (Hardcover)

My two-year-old was there when I opened the package containing this book. After five minutes of looking through the new book with me, she was inspired to pick up a large leaf and place it under her chin. She took a stick and began rubbing it back and forth across the leaf. "I'm playing my viola," she said. The really funny scene was when she tried to pretend a guitar case was a double bass. The pictures are really great for kids. I think they could have chosen nicer music for their cd. The Witches Chorus is rather overpowering. The instrument examples sound electronic to me. The charts of music history is confusing. Incidents in each period seem to have been picked at random rather than for their overall importance to the period. It isn't really a general overview. However, I still like the book. The strong point is that it gives children a good introduction to the instruments. It is entertaining.