Music (A Quick Read)

Author: Marcus Weeks
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-02-01
Features: This book helps you master the knowledge of classical music and break the various boundaries of musical snobbery. Whether you need general symphonies or pure classical classics, you might as well start your long journey here. Through this book, you will truly understand how classical music has developed, how musical scores are created, and the causes and effects of various classical music styles around the world. Of course, all the interesting anecdotes are included as much as possible. "Music: A Quick Guide" equips you to talk about Telemann or Tchaikovsky with ease and grace. What exactly does this quick guide include? If you want to be a bit more academic, it's "Western art music"; if you need to be more rigorous, it's "serious music"; but most of us call it "classical" music. Yes, classical music, and everything related to it is rooted in the European tradition, not pop music, not jazz, not folk music, nor opera. This textbook adopts a narrative style, following the chronological order. Each double-page spread covers a specific period or style, giving a basic introduction to all the main composers and their music. You don't need any prior musical knowledge—this book intersperses "side notes" at appropriate places to explain some technical content; there is also a glossary of musical terms at the back to help you decode some industry terms and clear the obstacles you encounter in music reviews, programs, cover introductions, and when holding a drink and talking about music in a bar.