Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 22
 One of the very best of its kind August 20, 1999
20 out of 25 found this review helpful
I had read this book when I was a music student, and thought, at the time, it was one of the most interesting books ever assigned by any teacher. I am now a music teacher and have been recommending this book to the students who came to me asking for a good music appreciation book. To say everyone is happy with the book is to understate the fact. The book, indeed, speaks for itself!
Is there a better book introducing classical music? December 26, 2001
lanoitan (United States)
7 out of 8 found this review helpful
If you love classical music, as I do, this is the book to tell you about what you are listening to. That is, for someone like me who has almost no natural musical ability, but does for some strange reason have a profound appreciation for it. How classical music manages to convey its ineffable beauty, I don't know, but it does. This book allows you to place what you are listening to in its place within the whole field of Western classical music.
Responding to "a reader" April 9, 2006
a music teacher (Fremont, CA United States)
7 out of 8 found this review helpful
In response to "a reader's" review, Holst and Orff did not contribute to the larger schema of music history. Although a work like "Carmina Burana" is significant only because it's been rehashed over in dramatic parts of a film, it has little value in terms of delineating trends in music. I only partially agree with his/her assessment of J.-de-la-Guerre because her work is used more to show a common example of highly ornamented French harpsichord music, rather than the composer herself. This is a well-organized book, giving a survey (keyword: SURVEY) of Western music, which means that if you want to learn about Elgar, read a book on him.
Excellent History of Music!!! May 12, 2006
Trilogy Poetry Review (Wisconsin)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
This is an excellent book to read and study music from. It lays out the history of music in a very understandable manner for an average person. The timeline of music consisting of such musical eras as the medieval, renaissance, baroque, classical, romantic, post-romantic, impressionism, early twentieth century and later twentieth century is very enlightening. It's all there from folk to jazz to ragtime and swing. The great composers would have loved to read this one. By the way, poets, make your feast on the history of the Troubadours, Trobairitz, Trouveres and Minnesingers poet-musicians from the middle ages from France and Germany. This is really an interesting book to read regarding music. It's truly educational. Also check "Trilogy Moments for the Miond, Body and Soul" with a new selection of Epulaeryu poems.
An Amazing Introduction to Music History May 31, 1998
Matt Matthias (Staffordshire, United Kingdom)
Being both a music teacher and a music student I approached this book from many angles and happily, I was not disappointed at all. This book superbly captures Music History and with the right balance of pictures and content, makes a tough subject truly enjoyable. I specifically enjoyed the Cultural Perspectives that gave a alternative angle on the information. If you have the accompanying CD's or tapes then this book can be described as a truly memorable experience. If you haven't, don't be put off. It still is an essential read.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 22
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