Exploring Classical Music: A Pleasant Journey for Novice and Expert

By Robert Finn

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• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1931055300
• ISBN13: 9781931055307
• Release Date: January 2001
• Publisher: Superiorbooks.Com Inc
• Length: 204 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.5" x 0.5" x 5.5"

Customer Reviews

A Most Pleasant Journey

Mr. Finn writes, "There will always be an audience for The Marriage of Figaro, Die Winterreise and the Symphony of Psalms. People need only to be led to these transcendent works by a kindly hand. They do not need to be browbeaten by hectoring academics or mystified by elitist initiates. They need to be given a gift, and shown how to unwrap it." In my opinion, any book on classical music containing that line is a must-have.

Help for the Semi-Initiated

I listen to all types of music and have occasionally taught music appreciation, but I've never found a book that does as good a job as this one of introducing the topic of how to listen to music. The author uses everyday concepts and figures of speech to help the reader understand how to approach all types of musical compositions. Unlike most knowledgable writers on classical music, he recognizes the relationship between understanding a 3-minute pop song and understanding a Mozart opera or symphony. While most of this book assumes some knowledge on the part of the listener, it doesn't assume any more than, say, Aaron Copland's What to Listen for in Music. It's written in an easygoing style, but it doesn't sacrifice content for the sake of simplicity. If I teach music appreciation again, I'll strongly consider this book as the main text, or at least one of them.