Rating: 
Summary: Ideal Introduction to Classical Music
Review: Looking for an introduction to the world of classical music, I came across this gem in the local library (um ... can we mention the library on Amazon.com?). The book was just what I was looking for, brief biographical sketches of major composers arranged in chronological order with accompanying notes on their place in the development of classical music. The book is divided into classical music periods (Baroque, Romantic, etc.) in chronological order, with brief notes at the beginning of each period describing the times. The author then gives a brief biography for each major composer in that period, and afterward spends a few pages introducing the major works by that composer and suggesting which ones would be good to start with. At the end of the book, the author also has a good list of suggested works for building your own classical music library. The author is very easy to read, and makes learning about classical composers and music interesting. He obviously has some opinions about composers music, but you can tell they are learned opinions, and they make the reading all the more fun. This book is not just biographies, and not just a history of music, it is the history of classical music through the people who made that music. It is the ideal introduction to classical music, and a good book to have in your own library.
Rating:
Summary: Ideal Introduction to Classical Music
Review: Looking for an introduction to the world of classical music, I came across this gem in the local library (um ... can we mention the library on Amazon.com?). The book was just what I was looking for, brief biographical sketches of major composers arranged in chronological order with accompanying notes on their place in the development of classical music. The book is divided into classical music periods (Baroque, Romantic, etc.) in chronological order, with brief notes at the beginning of each period describing the times. The author then gives a brief biography for each major composer in that period, and afterward spends a few pages introducing the major works by that composer and suggesting which ones would be good to start with. At the end of the book, the author also has a good list of suggested works for building your own classical music library. The author is very easy to read, and makes learning about classical composers and music interesting. He obviously has some opinions about composers music, but you can tell they are learned opinions, and they make the reading all the more fun. This book is not just biographies, and not just a history of music, it is the history of classical music through the people who made that music. It is the ideal introduction to classical music, and a good book to have in your own library.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing resource for the classical music lover.
Review: My wife selected this book a few years back when we were first becoming interested in classical music. At every step, this wonderfully written, easy to read reference gave us some new bit of information on the people who have shaped Western music. The book is a collection of delightful essays, mostly biographies of the influential composers, as well as some background on various musical topics, such as sonata form, atonal music, and the like. I have read and re-read many a section, and am always amazed at how fresh they remain. Swafford's writing is sublime; I recommend this book (as well as his other works) highly.
Rating: 
Summary: the music of the spheres in words
Review: This is a fine book. What it lacks in genious it makes up for in pure affability and accuracy. Lesser books tell you what to believe. This book merely opens the door and lets you draw your own conclusions. My only complaint is that this book neglects a good handful or double handful of composers I would like to see covered. Where is Sofia Gubaidulina in detail? Where is Valentin Silvestrov or Arvo Part?
I go back to this book often. This book is like a mistress who never complains and always tells the truth. I hope that anyone who is interested in that most vital and creative of musics - classical music - will turn to this book.
Rating:
Summary: An indispensable introductory guide to classical music.
Review: When I first decided to learn more about classical music, this was the first book I turned to. "The Vintage Guide to Classical Music" is an excellent reference guide for those who love this genre of music but don't know a great deal about it. Using reasonably detailed and very interesting biographical essays on the major composers, author Jan Swafford gives the reader an excellent historical overview of classical music from its beginnings until the early 1990s, when this book was published. Also included are "sidebars" which explain in clear and easy to understand prose different topics such as sonata form, melody, atonal music, etc. Swafford also includes a section which explains how to begin building a classical music library. I found this especially useful in building my own classical CD collection. "The Vintage Guide to Classical Music" is extremely well written, and obviously well researched. It's also very entertaining! The author consistently demonstrates not only a wealth of knowledge about his subject, but his love for it as well. For me, this book remains an indispensable guide to classical music. Highly recommended!
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