Product Description
The most popular collection of classical piano music ever published. This authoritative volume contains over 140 selections-covering romantic, modern, light, sacred, and operatic music-with works by Beethoven, Mozart, Bach, Chopin, Haydn, Wagner, and many more. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

This is a good choice!!!
Ok, I already had two of this divertimenti but now that I have the complete five, I checked them with the recordings and they're good, this is what I was looking for and it was really cheap, this is a good choice if you want this Mozart's divertimenti!!!

Wide Variety of Music!
This is my new favorite music book as it includes such a wide variety of music. The composers included are both well-known and lesser known.There is much to choose from:

Mozart, Grieg, Verdi, Massenet, Godard, Gounod, Godard, Wagner, Cui, Tchiakovsky, Liszt, Ponchielli, Gottschalk, Schubert, Lange, Chopin, Beethoven, Haydn, Bizet, Handel, Schuman, Dvorak, Brahms, Csibulka, Rubinstien, Boccherini, Saint-Saens, Field, Strauss, Yradier, Delibes, Gautier, Debussy, Donizetti, Thome, Mendelssohn, Rameau, Scarlatti, Wagner. The piece I've been especially playing lately is Offenbach's Barcarolle. And, I have this piece in several other books-- this is, by far, the best version I've seen.Unlike Tales of Hoffman, many other pieces included in the book were composed specifically for the piano and, although they may be excerpts of longer pieces, they are edited well and are included exactly as the composers wrote them.

Although there are a few easier pieces included, the difficulty level is mostly advanced intermediate to expert (and beyond what I can play well).

All of these pieces are also available free from various websites, but the arrangements here are superb. Part of the fun of getting a book such as this is the introduction to pieces you might not have known before.And, as this book includes over 140 selections, there is likely to be something new in here for everyone.

Great bargain!

Great and Amazing Book
This book is perfect to intrduce any beginning pianist so that he or she can dscover the great works by Mozart. This book includes selections from the great symphonies, operas, piano concertos, and the best of the sonatas (my favorite being Rondo Alla Turca!). The pieces range from intermediate to really advanced. These piece's complexity (along with Easy Classics for Moderns by Denes Agay) will surely heighten any pianist's skills at the keyboard. The best of the classical era is presented in this introductory book. ... Read more

Product Description
This comprehensive yet concise survey of music, which is part of the highly acclaimed Prentice-Hall History of Music Series, is ideal for anyone interested in learning about the evolution of musical style through the Classic period (the late 18th and early 19th century) in its historical, cultural and social context.It includes the latest research in the chief areas of symphony, sonata, concerto, opera, chamber music and sacred music. Forprofessional and amateur musicians, concert-goer and record collector. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Not the Basics
If you want to know about Haydn and Mozart and their contributions to the Classical era, this is your book.However, if you want to know the fundamentals of the Classic period, get something else.The book rarely provides definitions or explains things in context.Rather, it will title a chapter, The Classic Sonata, and then have the subcategories, Haydn's Sonatas, Mozart's Sonatas.It was difficult to find information about the era and forms of music in general. Should have been titled Music in the Classic Period Shown Through Haydn and Mozart.

Good Book
If you are interested in studying classical history with a focus on Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven, this book serves that purpose well.

If you love Classic music and would like to learn about its context and development, this is a great survey
This book is primarily used in classrooms for students taking a survey course on music in the Classic Period (just before Haydn through Beethoven and Schubert - these things are never cleanly cut); it is also wonderfully suited for the general reader and enthusiast who would like to appreciate their favorite music in a more fully developed context.It is comprehensive in that it includes the Classic period from its earliest beginnings through its transition into the Romantic Age, but it does not cover everything these is to talk about in these most important decades.

However, it hits the high points very well.It not only includes important musical elements of style, form, instruments, harmonic development, and so forth, but it also includes the way social changes influenced music making and musical development.Where Haydn was clearly a servant of the Esterházys (a well compensated and well treated servant, but a servant nonetheless), Beethoven had patrons but was no one's servant and so it went on in later decades with the rise of the "Artist".

The author provides a wonderful cultural context for the music and music making.We get wonderful pictures of the halls, churches, and great rooms for the music.He also shows us interesting instruments including pedal pianos and a baryton (a strange and difficult instrument that Haydn's employer loved and for which Haydn wrote many works).The reader will enjoy the grand tour of the period and will either be satisfied with the overview provided, or will want to dig more deeply into this or that aspect of the subject.To aid the latter, each chapter has its own bibliography.This is very handy so you know which additional readings go with which topic.

Excellent book for students and aficionados of Classic Music. ... Read more

Product Description
This invaluable musical compendium contains biographies of over 100 composers, including many before the age of J.S. Bach, and an analysis of over a thousand of their compositions in all branches of music. To provide historical perspective, the composers are in chronological order, beginning with Guillaume de Machaut and ending with Richard Strauss. A critical evaluation and biography of each composer is followed by a list of his major works, presented in order of composition, with programme and analytical notes allowing the reader to trace the growth and evolution of each composer from apprenticeship to full maturity. Notes on early and lesser-known works are also included. Unusual and interesting features are the discussion of less familiar composers and the inclusion of detailed ballet and opera plots. "The Complete Book of Classical Music" is one of the most comprehensive single-volume reference works ever published and is now available in paperback for the first time. ... Read more

Product Description
All your favorite piano masterpieces in one convenient collection! This book features solo arrangements of 100 classics by Bach, Beethoven, Bizet, Brahms, Chopin, Debussy, Delibes, Dvorak, Faure, Franck, Gounod, Grieg, Handel, Haydn, Mahler, Mendelssohn, Mozart, Pachelbel, Puccini, Tchaikovsky, Verdi, Vivaldi, Wagner, and more! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Great book
The Big Book of Classical Music is excellent.There are some easy to play versions as well as more difficult ones for a middle of the road pianist.Great selection of music.

not too hard
My biggist need for piano music bought online is to know exactly how difficult the music is.I play a lot of classical...this book has mostly pieces which have been transcribed from orchestral...such as adagio for strings.They are nice transcriptions, many not found elsewhere, and only of moderate difficulty (I actually prefer them to be a bit harder but it is by no means an easy or beginner book)so it is a good book for sight reading practice.There is out there the same book with easier versions of the music...I have forgotten the title.Nice collection.

Arrangements of famous Orchestral/Operatic pieces
Went to the local library in search of some Classical wedding/sacred music and checked out this book. It has both Mendelssohn's Wedding March and Wagner's Bridal Chorus as well as Pachebel's Canon in D. Like these pieces, there are a lot of arrangements of symphonic favorites - think a "Greatest Hits" Classical collection - but the quality is high. Most are moderate/advanced diffuculty- about the level of Thompson's grade 5 book, or Mozart's Sonata in C (I am a piano teacher). The original pieces for piano tend to be a little harder.The Baroque pieces (Bach, Handel, Haydn) are a bit easier.

There is also the theme from "Masterpiece Theatre" (RONDEAU by Jean-Joseph Mouret)

Great Challenge and Variety
I have had a wonderful time with this book since purchasing it a year ago.I play from it nearly every day and it got me excited about playing regularly again.It has a wonderful variety of music from popular (classical) composers, and there were many pieces I had heard before but didn't know the name or composer.

From the Bach's delicate "Prelude in C Major" to the Handel's majestic "Hallelujah Chorus", from the slow "Resurrection" by Mahler to the Hadyn's brisk "Gypsy Rondo", there is a style to match just about any mood or occasion.

I wish I had purchased this book years ago.I highly recommend it! ... Read more

Product Description
For years, the most popular classical guitar method ever published! Technique, sight reading, and musicianship for the intermediate guitarist, with graded exercises and practice studies. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Pretty good book
It's a very good educational book for the intermediate guitar player who wants to be challenged. A challenge it does provide, however, it does not have a huge variety of great songs in the back.

Part 2 of an excellent instruction series-A big step up
If you are unfamiliar with Noad's "Solo Guitar Playing I", I would highly recommend that you start there first.Book II is an order of magnitude more difficult. The author does an excellent job of introducingyou to each new piece of music and pointing out problem sections that willneed extra practice or that have tricky fingering.When necessary he alsopresents exercises or patterns that help to exemplify a piece or that willbe used throughout a piece. Overall, the book is well written and thematerial is well presented.It does not "hold your hand" as muchas book one did and the music selections are quite a bit more challenging. I would recommend it only to the experienced guitarist or to those who havecompleted Book I. If you are able to make it through this book you willhave built a phenomenal classical repertoire. ... Read more

Product Description
Intermediate to advanced literature from the Romantic era to the 20th century. Special study paid to various state high school contest solo repertory lists. Includes works by Adams, Argento, Bernstein, Copland, Finzi, Maxwell Davies, Rachmaninoff, and others. ... Read more

Product Description
From the music of ancient civilizations to the Baroque Era, the Classical Period, the Romantic and Modern Eras, this delightful, accessible guide covers it all. Among its features are incisive biographies of the great composers and descriptions of their works, an intriguing study of the human voice, and a glossary of musical terms. Photos. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

1st to feature chapters on WOMEN composers & conductors!
Finally, a NON-boring book on Classical Music! I have never learned so much, so easily! A Reader---

From Cave People to Modern times, all the great eras of music:Renaissance, Baroque, Romantic, Modern...The neverdull lives of Great Composers, Women Composers & Conductors through theages, Black Composers & Conductors, the origin of musical instruments,hundreds of Performers and musical personalities, Opera, Operetta, Ballet,Musicals, Movie Music -- all delightfully described.What a treasure! Charles Bubb, former Principal Trumpet, San Francisco Symphony---

Dr.Gray's ability to put complicated musical thought into concise &descriptive prose is both educational & entertaining.Audiences havelong needed this kind of book.Leonard Slatkin, Director, Nat'lSymphony---

Reading this book is like going to a concert with aknowledgeable friend!Libby Larson, Composer---

The Guide will encouragelistening to classical music.Long overdue is the section on women inmusic history. Morton Gould, Composer, President, ASCAP'86-'94---

Newcomers to concert music will be encouraged by the frank& simple way Dr. Gray deals with her subject.Musicians will applaudthe purpose it advances.David Raksin, Film Composer---

This book is themissing link forging a 3-way bond between men & women in music and apersonal connection to the audience.Victoria Bond,Composer-Conductor---

A fascinating read, I couldn't put it down!MartinBookspan, Lecturer, Live at Lincoln Center---

Thank you for a newperspective, Zubin Mehta, International Maestro---

This is the TopsInternational Superstore of Classical Music! Mary Kunz,Buffalo, NY,News---

A reference book any teacher could fly with!Mary Stitt,Professor Emeritus---

Dr. Gray's insight, wit & perspective open thedoor to the wonderful, musical heritage that belongs to all of us.JoAnnFalletta, Conductor---

A major contribution to a shamelessly neglectedsubject...the influence of WOMEN in music.David Amos, Conductor---

Inthese challenging times for classical music worldwide, Dr. Gray'swell-researched & informative book contributes valuable assistance tolisteners, both new & experienced.A much-needed reader-friendlycompanion for all lovers of art musicGisele Ben-Dor, Conductor---

Ican hardly wait for Vivace Press to bring out Dr. Anne Gray's new book, ThePopular Guide to WOMEN in Classical Music--what a landmark this will be!!!Adrian Harmon, violinist ... Read more

Product Description
A chronicle of the tensions and contradictions of a musical high culture borrowed and homegrown in unequal measure.

Classical Music in America is a pioneering history by an award-winning scholar and leading authority on American symphonic culture. Joseph Horowitz argues that classical music in the United States is peculiarly performance-driven, and he traces a musical trajectory rising to its peak at the close of the nineteenth century and receding after World War I. He defines the decades of ascendancy as the quest for an American compositional voice, painting vivid vignettes of America's most celebrated performers and such pathbreaking institutions as the New York Philharmonic and the Metropolitan Opera. He explores a century of decline characterized by illustrious orchestras, conductors, and virtuosos, mostly foreign born, and in a final chapter he exposes a crisis of leadership and suggests new musical directions in our postmodern age.

As with his acclaimed cultural histories, Horowitz here fashions a sweeping narrative—packed with personality and incident, textured by literature, sociology, and intellectual history—that freshly illuminates the American experience. 32 pages of illustrations. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Disappointing
While I can't call myself much of a musician, I have loved classical music nearly all my life, and listen to the many Teaching Company lectures on the subject by Professor Robert Greenberg. I can't seem to get enough of this kind of thing. In other words, and I am a natural reader for this type of material. I was greatly excited when I found this book for only $10 at a store's book sale.

Problem is, this book is DRY. Try as I could, I couldn't muster the interest to follow the writer's meandering discourses on composers, conductors and other classical music scene movers and shakers. And worst of all, he really doesn't develop and make clear his statement that there was a rise and fall in American music - at least, it wasn't clear to me. A case wasn't presented, in other words.

I recall reading another book on the same subject (I forget the title) that presented a much better argument; I think this other book was based on recordings and was a survey of the greatest and worst classical recordings - a much livlier and more readable book than Horowitz'.

This book might be worth a read if you're a classical music insider, but my opinion is that it is rather hard going if you're not.

Plus and Minus
Although this book contains some new material, much of it is a re-hashing of what has been gleaned from other sources including the author's previous essays. This may not be apparent to those with a limited grasp of the subject matter.The fact that this book contains nothing about the significance and recognition of black classical composers of the 20th century clearly reflects Horowitz's ignoranceand disdain of their contribution. The Black Composers Series issued by Columbia Records in the 1970s created an awareness of the existence of major talents whose works have been performed by all of the principal American orchestras. William Grant Still is the only black composer mentioned in "Classical Music In America". In this respect his book adds nothing to those written by myopic scholars 40 years ago. Where are the names of Ulysses Kay, Hale Smith and George Walker, the great 1996 Pulitzer Prize winner who deserve at least a few lines. Surely, Horowitz must be cognizant of the landmark book, Music of Black Americans, by Eileen Southern. It does not appear in his bibliography. If he hasn't read it, he certainly should if he wants to present a comprehensive picture of American Music.

Lively & approachable
Horowitz writes in a lively and approachable fashion, telling the story of how music and musical performance evolved in our country with brisk and provocative ideas.He's both scholar and journalist, an unusual talent.

Engrossing, comprehensive history of American musical scene
Horowitz's panoramic history traces the development of American classical music institutions, performers, and composers from the mid-nineteenth century to the present day. Emerging from such low-brow entertainments as "monster concerts" with multitudes of choral and orchestral performers, so numerous that they could hardly hear each other, the American musical scene came to maturity both in Boston and New York, two locales around which much of the author's chronicle centers. Horowitz's chronicle charts in detail the history of many performing institutions in both these cities, the men who ran them, and those who kept a watchful eye on their doings: the music critics. Orchestras, opera companies and solo performers parade past in dizzying array, kept from totally overwhelming the reader by Horowitz's firm organization, both by chronology and by topic area.

It is the attempt to establish a distinctive and indigenous school of musical composition that most interests Horowitz, and here his discussion is at its most valuable. He gives due weight to names that are now fashionable once again, such as Amy Beach, but also speaks up for some that are still neglected, notably George Whitfield Chadwick in Boston. The distinctive musical cultures that arose in the two cities are painted with a sure hand, resulting in many fascinating revelations: Edward MacDowell's chilly relations with many of Boston's pre-eminent composers, for example, came as a surprise to me. Alas, according to the author, though America has produced many major composers in the twentieth century, a truly distinctive and thriving culture of original composition has never succeeded in establishing itself. Horowitz blames this failure on the cultivation of what amounts to performer worship and the endless recycling of a canon of old masterpieces that took hold after World War I. His conclusions may be arguable, but his observations are unfailingly lucid and engaging. This is a book that will sit by Richard Crawford's recent book on American music, and books on American opera and singing by John Dizikes and Peter G. Davis, on my shelf of frequently consulted sources.

Thank Goodness for Criticism!
For years we have been sustained by a notion that we could, if we worked hard enough, use documents of all kinds (musical scores, diaries, images, letters, etc.) to figure out something like "what really happened" in the past.Alas, the past is a much vaster ocean than we imagine.The refreshing thing about Horowitz's brilliant Classical Music in America, is that he's not about writing a chronicle, he's about telling a particular story.In the end, it's not whether you agree or disagree that there was something like a Golden Age in the United States around the turn of the century followed by a gradual but inevitable slide, but that the reader is bathed in the very richness of the tale and the telling.Through his passion, his gifts as a writer and thinker, and actually through the very idiosyncratic thinking that can annoy, cajole, and prod, he compels attention, and stimulates deep thought about the past and the present.

Horowitz has been one of our leading cultural critics for decades, and this is a book that should be on every music lover's bookshelf. ... Read more

Product Description
This package includes the Rubank publication "Classical Studies" packaged with Kathryne Pirtle's CD "Works for Unaccompanied Clarinet - The Music of J.S. Bach." ... Read more

Product Description

Product Description
VideoHound's team of expert reviewers, lead by Didier C. Deutsch, presents reviews and ratings of 2,000 of the most popular and accessible soundtracks from film, TV, and Broadway shows. Includes a CD sampler of soundtrack hits and 100 sidebars on industry news, trivia, and terminology.Amazon.com Review
The most detailed and, in many respects, the finestvolume in the VideoHound series of guidebooks, VideoHound'sSoundtracks is essential for music lovers. It is a comprehensivereference to movie and television soundtracks as well as to albumsmade from Broadway and movie musicals. Each entry is accompaniedby thoughtful and trenchant commentary, a full list of credits,and the title and performer of each cut on the album. As iscustomary in the VideoHound series, the recordings are ratedfrom "five bones" to "WOOF!"

VideoHound's Soundtracks also contains indices organized byalbum title, composer, producer, orchestrator, conductor,performer, and song title. In the back of the book you'll find acompact disc sampler titled "The Best Soundtracks in Show Business!!!"which contains music from recent films such as The Rock, DonnieBrasco, Ransom, and Mother. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A large but overall mediocre and disappointing guide.
I'm a huge fan of the Videohound books as well as movie soundtracks sowhen I read about this book I was pretty excited. But alas, I found thisbook to be the least satisfying of all their books. MANY notable andpopular soundtracks are not reviewed. And I found the music compiliationsection uninteresting. They could have easily filled that space with moremovie soundtracks! The "free" cd is ok but unfortunately I hadevery soundtrack featured, but nonetheless, it was fun to listen to all thesongs together.Buyer beware: This can be unsatisfactory if you're used toVH's usual high quality. ... Read more

Product Description
In words and pictures, here is an absorbing look into the life, the works, the influences, and the times of Mozart and his contemporaries. Explored in detail are Mozart's operas, symphonies, and concertos, as well as his and his contemporaries' chamber music. ... Read more

Product Description
Fun-to-play, pedagogically sound piano arrangements include themes from Beethoven’s "Pathétique Sonata" and Haydn’s "Surprise Symphony," along with such favorites as Schumann’s "Traumerei," Brahms’s "Lullaby," Chopin’s "Prelude," Tchaikovsky’s "Marche Slave," Moussorgsky’s "Promenade" (from Pictures at an Exhibition), and many more. 20 piano arrangements.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (25)

great beginner book!
My daughter is a beginning pianist, age 12.She wanted a book with some classic pieces she could learn to play.These have been a great way to keep her interested in playing.

Thank You Very Much I like this book
this book is great for anyone who is still kinda new in the Keyboarding corner of lifes pleasures.

Easy to understand, and fun.Excellent book!
Great buy!Love the contents.Its a wonderful book, everything and more than we expected.My daughter loves it!

Good, but Hard
This is a good instructional book, but it's harder than I thought it was going to be.My daughter has been playing for 3 years, & most of the songs are too hard for her.

Easy and Familiar Classical Music
I was surprised and delighted with this book.It's easy to play and contains many very well known pieces even if the player doesn't recognize them by name, they'll know many of them when they hear them.I would highly recommend this for anyone who wants to play a bit of classical music but is less than accomplished on the keys. ... Read more

Product Description
The animals are having a carnival, and the guests are arriving. There's the majestic lion, the braying mules, the dancing elephant, and the bouncy kangaroos. Even the fossils join in with a fast and rattly dance. Everyone is invited!

Nearly 150 years ago, the composer Camille Saint-Saëns was asked by his pupils to write a musical joke for them. He wrote the Carnival of the Animals, a piece people enjoyed so much that it has now become one of Saint-Saëns's most famous works.

This accessible commentary, in a picture-book format, helps children follow each section of Saint-Saëns's classic piece while they listen to the CD. Whimsical illustrations, a simple text, and evocative melodies create an ideal introduction for young children to the world of classical music.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (29)

A must have!
The best "Carnival of the Animals" book I have found yet. Filled with tons of great background information for young and old, while still interesting to read, listen, and follow along.

good book, good music but CD issues
I am a music teacher who teaches general music to grades K-8.Every year I take a couple classes to teach the kids about Camille Saint-Saens and the Carnival of Animals so I'm pretty familiar with a lot of the music and was excited to purchase this book and CD.

The book itself is great for the lower grades, the music is great for all of them.The CD has nice sound. However I noticed the book gives track numbers for each movement on the CD.But the track numbers are wrong.

The book has listed Hens and Roosters on track number 2. When actually only Hens is track 2 and Roosters is track 3, which then pushes all the other titles up a track (ex. Mules is track 4, not 3 as listed in the book). Also some of these titles are not accurate as Saint-Saens originally named them.

The other problem with the CD is that the Carnival of Animals goes up to track 15 as the Finale.After that there are several other tracks, 16-21 on the CD which are not mentioned anywhere in the book.The CD cover itself mentions 3 other pieces, (SYmphony No. 3, Danse Macabre, and a piece from Samson and Delilah...all famous pieces by Saint=Saens).But they are not listed in any particular order, none of those tracks sounded like the Danse Macabre that I've heard, and there are still 3 other tracks which are not named or listed anywhere on the CD, in the book, or anywhere in the package.So unless you're a Saint-Saens fanatic theres no way to know what they are.

So while I like the book and the music itself, the CD presents a lot of confusion.Be forewarned.

Carnival of the Animals
This is great book and CD for small children and elementary school age. I played a selection or 2 every day in elementary music class and the kids enjoyed them. We read the short description of the animals and listened to the different animals.The students kept wanting to replay them and listen to more.The pictures are colorful and get their attention.We danced and moved to the music; we listened to the different instruments and they pretended they were playing in the orchestra or they pretended they were moving like the swan or the fish in the aquarium or the kangaroos, etc.I bought 3 more books and CD's for my grandchildren ages 2-10.

Love it! Love it!
This is a great book and cd that encourages children to understand and enjoy a fantastic piece of classical music by relating it to things they know and love. Amazon offered a good price and sent it quickly and in perfect condition.

Guess the animal...
After listening to each piece, we tried to guess what the animal was depending on the music that was played. Fantastic! ... Read more

Product Description
Synopsis

This expanded and completely revised fourth edition is a unique handbook, spanning a thousand years of music from Gregorian chant via Bach and Beethoven to current leading lights such as Thomas Ades and Kaija Saariaho. There are concise biographical profiles of more than 200 composers and informative summaries of the major compositions in all genres, from chamber works to operatic epics. Topics such as the influence of jazz, notation, conducting, the madrigal, and why Stradivarius made such great violins are covered fully in feature boxes. The Rough Guide has been praised for its mix of well-known composers with more obscure, but interesting, figures (like Antoine Brumel and Barbara Strozzi), and for the way it takes contemporary music seriously. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Review of Rough guide to opera
The Rough Guide to Opera is an excellent and fairly comprehensive guide to opera in generak and even recent (modern?) opera.

Great guide with a few drawbacks
This guide is, on the whole, an excellent book. The only things I do not like about it are
A. that Romanian composer and musician George Enescu is not even mentioned here - not only was he Romania's best composer, he was also Yehudi Menuhin's mentor and idol. It is strange for this guide to not even mention someone like Enescu, who is held in such high esteem by Menuhin, whom many regard as the greatest violinist of the 20th century; and
B. that in the case of Mozart, for instance, the book only speaks about what it considers to be Mozart's best operas, but what is frustrating is that it does not even mention the titles of Mozart's other important operas.
It would have been a lot more helpful if this guide had also provided a (quasi-complete) list of each composer's works before dealing with certain "more relevant" of these works on an individual basis. For instance, Mozart's The Abduction from the Seraglio, Idomeneo, and La Clemenza di Tito are among those operas that are not even mentioned here. They should have been mentioned even if only in passing, even if only to give the reader a more complete picture of Mozart's opratic work.

fantastic guide for beginners
This is the best guide I've found for the newcomer to classical music. Full of well written descriptions of composers and their works. It helped me tremendously in approaching the daunting and confusing body of works & recordings and I still pick it up regularly for casual reading and as a reference.

To complain that this isn't a 1500 page comprehensive guide with everyone's favorite composers is to miss the point entirely. There are plenty of other books to choose from that serve that purpose but as a starting point you can't do better than this.

It wasn't good in the first place and now it's noncompetitive
For those that have never sampled one, the "rough guide" series is a group of books that pretend to be expert guides into something for newbies. This book is a guide to classical music. Its cover brags that it is, "The A-Z of composers, key works and top recordings."

Amazon's text says this, the 4th edition of the Rough Guide to Classical Music, is completely revised. I'm not sure what they mean by that since the contents are virtually the same as the third edition. Only the "feature boxes" section -- which includes one-page features on stuff like "What is a Fugue" and "The English Reformation" that appear during a composer section -- looks to be about twice as large. The third edition (with Kissin on the cover) totaled 610 pages; this edition (with Rattle on the cover) totals 642 pages. But, when placed on its side and measured with a ruler, the third edition is 1 1/2 inches thick and the new edition is 1/3/8 inches thick with equal type size. Furthermore, there is not a single new composer represented in the new edition.

I am very disappointed and disconcerted that my favorite little composer, Franz Krommer -- a 19th century composer of woodwind and harmoniemusik that was once a rival to Beethoven -- is not included. Neither is another of my recent discoveries, Richard Wetz, a late romantic that lived until 1935 whose three symphonies (reminiscent of Bruckner and Mahler), violin concerto and requiem have all been recorded in recent years. While neither is represented in the rough guide, obscure composers named Roberto Gebhard, Johnathan Harvey and Giacinto Scelsi each get a page or two. They were all included in the third edition, as well.

Maybe I'm wrong, you say, and these are important composers worthy of mention? The Rough Guide says Roberto Gebhard is, "One of the most important and distinctive Spanish composers of the 20th century." They list recordings of his Symphony No. 3 and string quartets to justify his inclusion. Yet there is not a mention in this guide about the British symphonist Robert Simpson, one of England's more important postwar symphonists who wrote 11 of them. They have all been recorded and a box of the 11 was released last year to great acclaim in certain quarters. He is not important enough to be mentioned in this book.

Not mentioning the low profile Simpson is one thing. The failure to include a profligate and popular crossover classic-to-romantic era composer like Krommer in a book that pretends to represent classical music is ridiculous. To ensure I wasn't being petty, I went to Arkiv Music to count recordings. There are 35 recordings by Franz Krommer listed at Arkiv Music while the trio of Gebhard, Harvey and Scelsi are represented by a big fat zero. This tells me the authors, or the corporation that publishes the rough guide series, doesn't know this industry and makes little attempt to improve its product from edition to edition.

Perhaps I am just being finicky about this? Maybe this is really a good guide that can do a lot for someone new to classical music and I am needlessly being critical of its obvious shortcomings? I admit certain of its feature boxes are helpful and there are a lot more of them this time than last. Brief features on "Postmodernism and After", "The Concerto", "The Leitmotiif" and "The Rise of the Virtuoso" will help someone just getting started in classical music come to know a bit about its historic intricacies.

I can't be very enthusiastic about the recordings recommended in this guide, however. There seems to be a marked step backward in the dozen or so I reviewed. Whom among you reading this review would accept a recommendation of the Harnoncourt-Berlin Philharmonic box as the best set of Brahms symphonies available? Or the same conductor and the Chamber Orchestra of Europe being the preferred set of Beethoven symphony recordings? Incredibly, these are the first sets listed under each composer.

Getting this version of the Rough Guide to Classical Music was, as you can tell, more of a disappointment for me than coming to know the earlier version of the book. Now, with the 1,500-page All Music Guide available for only a couple dollars more than this one -- a book that discusses every composer and most performers in more depth than this one and makes more judicious recommendations on recordings -- there is no need for people just coming to classical muisc to settle for this. There is just about nothing here of value to experienced collectors. I'd say avoid this if you know anything about classical music and spend your money on the All Music Guide if you're just getting started.

A great place to start to explore classical music
This book is invaluable for those who have a limited knowledge of classical music and want to expand their listening repertoire. It is a compendium of information on over two hundred classical composers and their works. In addition to the information presented by composer, a number of boxes explore themes as diverse as "What is a Fugue?" (under Bach), "The Cult of the Conductor" (under Mahler) and "The Crisis of Tonality" (under Schoenberg). The choice of composers is excellent - of course when the number is limited, one can always gripe about the favourites that have been left out. The accounts are written in a lively, up-beat style that does not compromise the fidelity of the information. Each composer is covered by an introductory section that is largely biographic, followed by a treatment of major works. Finally, a number (typically one to three) of key recordings are recommended - they tend towards the conservative, but pretty much ensure that the new listener will not be disappointed.

It is worth pointing out that this book does not aspire to be a buyer's guide to CDs. That is the task of, for example, the Penguin and Gramophone guides (on Amazon: ISBN 0141022620 & 0860249727 respectively).

I would certainly recommend this book above the NPR guide and other "beginners guides" I have seen. Testimony to that is the fact that my copy has fallen apart from overuse over the years and is now held together with rubber bands. Enjoy! ... Read more

Product Description
Here is an innovative and thoroughly enjoyable approach to demystifying classical music for the devotee and the novice alike. Consisting of a fully illustrated book with unique musical timelines and an accompanying CD, it teaches the reader to navigate any piece of music--from operas to piano sonatas to complete orchestral movements. Over 200 color photos.Amazon.com Review
This is a beautifully wrought introduction to classical music,aimed squarely at the neophyte and replete with time lines and lots ofhandsome photographs. It is accompanied by a 70+ minute compact discwith musical snippets to illustrate the text. It is a companion volumeto Waugh's Opera: A NewWay of Listening. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Simple and To the Point
Waugh has put together a beautiful book that describes what classical music is all about, with fine visual art to accompany the characteristics of the pieces/composers.Waugh is not a snob about classical music (andaptly describes the music snobs one may encounter).The only drawback isthat the music excerpts are mostly quiet, pastoral pieces; wish he had putin more variety of classical works with thunder and lightening. ... Read more

Product Description
These 142 pieces by the masters of piano literature date from the second half of the 17th century to the present. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

Review of easy classics
This book is ok for intermediate players, not much for the beginer player. The title says EASY - not so much.

OK music
I purchased this for my granddaughter who is a first year piano student.Maybe she will grown into this book.It wasn't what I expected.

<3 piano
my piano teacher showed me his copy and I ordered it the same day.
it has a wonderful range of pieces and composers, it's good for lessons or just for playing around.

I love this book!
I learned my first classical pieces from this book when I was 11 and lost it in a move somewhere.It is a great book for easy-intermediate practice - full of very beautiful music!Some pieces are easily self taught by newer pianists who understand the basics, and others are challenging enough to keep it interesting.I feel it is a great book to diversify you practice at the beginner intermediate level.

Intermediate Adult
My teacher used this book when she was a young student. One should be able to get a lot of mileage out of this book as it has many pieces from all the periods (baroque, classical, romantic and contemporary).It is a good choice for anyones music libray. ... Read more

Product Description
Along with offering fascinating facts on the lives of the musicians, the Random House Encyclopedic Dictionary of Classical Music presents concise plots for 3,000 operas, comprehensive listings of stage and opera works, and explanations of musical terms, theories, and forms that reflect current thinking. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Need to know ANYTHING about Classical Music...this covers it all!!
I recently went on a quest to find a "Cover All" book of Classical Music.
No surprise that all of the modern books I found only hit the high spots so to speak.
I recently bought a Cd of Edmund Rubbra....I had never heard of Him.
None of the modern books I found had anything about Him. This 1997 book has everything about Him!
This Random House book might be older but it's got EVERYTHING you'd want to know about Classical Music in it.
Watch and it can be bought cheap in like new condition.
I agree with Edward in the previous review....very much like to see a 2010 revised version!!!

It might be 13yrs old but I still HIGHLY recommend this book!!

Random House Encyclopedic Dictionary of Classical Music
David Cummings has compiled the most useful and the most recent encyclopedia and dictionary for classical music lovers.He is both concise and accurate, listing many important persons who have composed or performed music during the last 500 years.It is a rare compendium which lists both singers and composers in one volume.This reviewer looks forward to an updated second edition of this invaluable work with additional singers, instrumental performers, and more recent composers circa 2010.

Edward Murray, Ph.D.

Thorough global coverage of all aspects of classical music
In a single volume this book thoroughly covers music, musicians,composers, directors, instruments - - from the beginnings to today.It isglobal in its scope and has leavening quotations on almost every other pagefrom a variety of sources.Good summaries of operas, a chronology of musichistory, recommended recordings, are also included. The editor achieves adynamic balance of serious material with a light touch. ... Read more

Product Description
Includes definitions of musical terms and descriptions of the traditions and styles. ... Read more

Product Description
A compendium of the world's best loved classical music for the guitarist. With over 200 selections and duets, this volume will provide years of enjoyment for the developing guitar player. Includes a generous selection of classical duets and a section in tablature. Pieces by Bach, Carcassi, Carulli, Haydn, Mozart, Schumann and more. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Great book for those who want to play common classical tunes
I first took this book out of the public library. It was so useful, I decided to buy it. The arrangements are just beyond the skeletons of songs, so you have some decent harmonies and rhythm lines to back up the high notes.

It is a little strange how only some songs have tablature. I believe this is to push students to learn how to read sheet music, but I just find it a pain in the bum to suddenly have the tabs stop 3/8 of the way through the book.

Nevertheless this book is a great find if you want to start playing classical guitar ASAP.

Good value for money
The book has a wide range of music for varying abilities.I am a beginner and I found enough selections to make it worth while for the purchase.Most of the selections are over my head right now, but it's fun to try. Very nice that the book has a spiral bound and will lie flat on the music stand.
Great book!

Easy guitar classics
They said it was used but it seems like new.This book is very helpful in learning classical guitar.Simple to use and understand.I also use it for one of my guitar students.

Classical Guitar
First the pieces here are not that Easy.multiple fingerpicking techniques required.Secondly the songs compilation are not the most famous pieces for the classical guitar.Think of 5 Classical pieces you love... then look at this book.They are not found here.

A huge collection of Easy Guitar for Classical Music
I've had this book for a few days. I am a beginner guitar player although I can read notation(a bit rusty). I used to play the flute and then switched to piano many years later. I found I was getting really bored with general songs and I couldn't remember how I managed to keep playing the flute over and over again every day on the same pieces.
I remembered a few months ago that I used to play classical pieces, minuets, and little practice pieces that sounded lovely and I never tired of them. So I thought I'd get a guitar and switch to classical pieces. I found a guitar is so much more practical to pick up and move somewhere private in the home to practice.

I'm really enjoying the little pieces I downloaded from the INTERNET but I wanted a proper book of classical pieces. So I went to Amazon.com and searched inside the books of several classical books. On amazon.com they have the "search inside" on a lot more books. I could see from that that this book was well laid out and had a mountain of pieces(over 200).

There are some lovely pieces in this book and with a little effort a beginner can play something simple yet very beautiful. They sound great even slowed down.

The book is spiral bound and includes tablature which I've found most useful. ... Read more