- ISBN13: 9780786886272
- Condition: USED – VERY GOOD
- Notes:
Product Description
A Paperback Original. The author who has taught tens of thousands of people to love opera now introduces readers to the rich and soul-stirring world of classical music. For anyone who is aching to discover classical music, this comprehensive and accessible book is the ideal teacher. Writing in the clear and highly entertaining prose that made Opera 101 the standard text in its field, Fred Plotkin — music expert, teacher, lecturer, and famous author — … More >>
Classical Music 101: A Complete Guide to Learning and Loving Classical Music
Tags: accessible book, Classical, classical music, Complete, expert teacher, famous author, fred plotkin, Guide, Learning, lecturer, Loving, Music, music 101, music expert, prose, tens of thousands
#1 by Steven E. Combs on May 8, 2010 - 1:34 am
As you listen to this piece close your eyes and try to imagine… YOU DIDNT THROW YOUR MONEY AWAY ON THIS!!!!!! It is long winded and boring. You really dont need someone to teach you how to hear. I fell asleep listening to it. Seriously, buy anything else.
Rating: 1 / 5
#2 by doccaman2002 on May 8, 2010 - 1:40 am
I got this very quickly, and it was in great shape.
Rating: 5 / 5
#3 by N. Brown on May 8, 2010 - 4:37 am
I’ve given this book a couple of chances, but, I can’t TAKE IT ANYMORE!
For one, this book is a huge ponderous tome, and he uses a lot of words, and takes
a lot of time, to
say one little thing. He has a problem getting to the point.
If you are the type of reader who likes light, fluffy, not much to think about
authors, this is the book for you.
If you are looking for facts to learn, this might be the book for you,
if you can put up with the long, drawn out chit chat all through this book.
Rating: 2 / 5
#4 by Nobel Khandaker on May 8, 2010 - 7:17 am
If you are a beginner and would like to know about western classical music, this book is a great start. The writing style is clear, explanatory and authoritative.
I am a beginner and I am just starting to learn about classical music. I read the book, download music from itunes and then compare my notes with the authors. This gives me a chance to know classical music from a professional.
So, if you buy one book on classical music, buy this one, if you buy two books, buy this one and some other book.
nobel
Rating: 5 / 5
#5 by CRVH on May 8, 2010 - 8:23 am
This is certainly an acceptable book on listening to classical music for beginners, and Mr. Plotkin obviously knows a great deal about the subject. However, the author’s introductory promise not to treat us like “dummies” or “idiots” (references to other guidebooks he wants to distance himself from), are not wholly kept. I found much value in the content of the book, but the tone of the writing is unbearably “dick and jane-ish” – to the point that I sometimes just had to put the book down and walk away for a while. In particular the lecture on listening is profoundly didactic.
I also was disappointed that there was not more attention paid to the technical terms used for different aspects of classical music. There is definitely no succinct glossary of terms. If you want to know this stuff, I encourage a hunt and peck journey on wikipedia.
One very good feature of the book is an extensive list of concert halls, internet resources, and other bits of ephemera of interest to the classical music novice.
Overall, it’s a decent book to own, but I didn’t like it enough to recommend.
Rating: 3 / 5