Synopsis
In this comprehensive history, musicologist Scott Speck and conductor David Pogue introduce the works of several classical composers, including Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, and Debussy. They also teach readers how to decipher sheet music, interpret orchestration, and identify various international styles and genres of classical music. A guide to the instruments of the orchestra is included.
| Details | | Publication Date: | 1997-09-04 | | Series: | --For Dummies | | Edition Description: | Illustrated |
| Size | | Length: | 356 pages | | Height: | 9.5 in | | Width: | 7.5 in | | Thickness: | 0.8 in | | Weight: | 24.0 oz |
Publisher's Note
The more you know about classical music, the more you love it. Now, thanks to Classical Music For Dummies, you can achieve a whole new level of insight into both the composers and the compositions that have made classical music one of the great accomplishments of humankind.
Classical Music For Dummies doesn't assume that you have a degree in musicology -- or even that you took a course in music appreciation. Rather, the multimedially gifted David Pogue and renowned conductor Scott Speck explain classical music in terms you can understand, and they describe musical elements so that you can hear them for yourself.
A reference you can dip into at any point, Classical Music For Dummies covers such topics as
- The various forms that classical music takes -- from symphonies to string quartets
- What goes on behind the scenes and on stage to fill a concert hall with great classical music
- How to recognize, by sight and by sound, the many instruments that make up an orchestra
- The nuts and bolts of classical music -- from rhythm to harmonic progression
Plus, Classical Music For Dummies comes complete with a CD containing over 60 minutes of masterpieces compiled especially for the book. The CD also includes a demo version of the Angel/EMI Classics For DummiesTM multimedia interface to try out on your Windows-based PC or Macintosh computer.
This friendly guide to the world of classical music--complete with an enhanced CD of classical music movements--offers an easy-to-follow introduction for novice classical music enthusiasts and experienced listeners alike. Cartoon illustrations throughout.
Industry Reviews
Though musicians and other music lovers continue to lament the lack of classical music enthusiasts, their concern may have diminished somewhat over the last 25 years. The "Hooked on Classics" recording series, Peter Schickele (a.k.a. P.D.Q. Bach), the Three Tenors, and the movie Shine are but a few of the media phenomena that have popularized classical music. Lately, some authors have taken a lighthearted approach to the genre, hoping to make it less intimidating; Barry Scherer's delightful Bravo! A Guide to Opera for the Perplexed (LJ 11/15/96) is an example not to be overlooked. It does appear, however, that with these two books from IDG's ever-expanding "For Dummies" series, classical music has finally arrived. Orchestrator, synthesizer programmer, music copyist, and vocal arranger Pogue and symphony conductor Speck have collaborated to make musical facts fun to peruse. In some cases, the information may seem oversimplified, but novices will come away with a fairly good idea of the important composers, the main periods of music, the instruments, the conductors, the artists, when to applaud at a concert or opera, and even what to wear to a performance. Icons throughout pinpoint tips, advanced information, listening guides, when to use the accompanying CDs, and stories to use in conversations. Both books are recommended for public libraries. Kathleen Sparkman, Baylor Univ. Lib., Waco, Tex.
Moore
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