Classical Music: The 50 Greatest Composers and Their 1,000 Greatest Works

CLASSICAL MUSIC The 50 Greatest Composers and their 1,000 Greatest Works by Phil G. Gouldiong This book explains how the author broke into the world of classical music as a listener and how a neophyte might do the same. Musical writers use technical terms that is foreign to the beginner but is more directed to the accomplished musician. He explains that you must not let this intimidate you. You must first begin by listening for enjoyment's sake, and not because somebody said that you must listen to a certain piece of music. Your appreciation for music will improve with time and experience. The author gives some method to categorize the composers to help the listener to keep track of all the great musical pieces as it relates to time period and composer's genre, and the composer himself. Then he explains in greater detail about each composer and their contributions to music. The author explains the terms; Rhythm, Melody, Texture, Tone Color, Form, and Tonality as it relates to music. He goes in greater detail about musical scales and their differences. He explains the development of music from the Gregorian Chants to its present form or many different forms today. The author explains how music has changed over time to include different forms The author gives short biographies on each individual composer describing their life, and works, and how they rate as composers among other composers . The first he goes into detail with is Johann Sebastian Bach, and continues on with the other 49 composers. I find this an interesting read because it gives you a perspective on which to place the music you are listening to and where the composer is coming from. The book also makes a great reference when listening to an artist that you would like to know more about and the music he composed.

Being a pianist and a lover of Classical Music, I decided I should really do a little more research on the subject, to expand my knowledge of it. It seemed hypocritical to spend so much time immersed in something I had no foundational knowledge of. However, like history, I expected it to be something that, although everyone should know it, was not always interesting to actually learn about. What took me by surprise though was how interesting this book actually was. I found myself wanting to keep reading.Mr. Goulding put forth his information in a clear, non-pretentious manner that was easy for an amateur to understand (particularly if said amateur has a little prior musical knowledge, although this is not essential either.) By reading this book I was able to start identifying key aspects of the different music periods, including what changes the periods made for the music world. I found myself actually able to relate to his description of each composer. I was encouraged to try new things, listen to different styles, to learn to analyse what made each composer unique, and I was able to gain a taste for which composers appealed to me.As a musician, my knowledge of the mechanics and techniques required for each style of music has increased, and as a listener, I have been able to expand my collection, and to learn to appreciate the music more.For anyone out there who, like me, has been wanting to learn a bit more about Classical music but is intimidated by the amount of books available that are large, boring, and filled with big words and jargon - I would definitely recommend this book. Mr. Goulding has created a book that, though packed with information, is also, simply, a good read.

When I first started listening, my knowledge of classical music was limited. I was interested but didn't know where to begin; there was so much music to choose from. This book suggests who and what to try first. It also directs you to what you might have overlooked. Think of it as a guide book.Suggestions are organized by composer, ranked by greatness. For a given composer a basic bio is provided along with "starter kit", "top ten" and "master collection" lists. Sure, the ranking and selections are subjective, but Goulding's is a thoughtful and intelligent subjective.Recently my daughter borrowed my copy. Missing it, I bought her one of her own.(Equally important is the quality of performance. Once you know what you want to listen to, Amazon's stars can suggest which version to try. Happy listening).

This book is an excellent book for guiding non-experts like me through 50 of the most famous classical music composers. It has a chapter on each of the 50, plus, for each, an intro list to their music, a top 10 list of their pieces, and a more detailed list of all (?) of their pieces. I thoroughly enjoyed reading through it the first time, and now I go through each composer, finding the suggested pieces, then locate them on Prime Music and enjoy. This guidance allows me to enjoy their most popular music and expand my taste and library.

Très bon état du livre et livraison rapide

An excellent introduction to many composers. A very good reference.

Really excellent book! The 7 years in the writing shows. Takes the beginner to rapid knowledge increase from an assumed start of no knowledge. Written in an easily understood language. Recommended.

The book is great. The problem is that the seller billed me Rs. 1183.00 when the actual price sticker labelled on the book is clearly written as RS. 999.00. I think this is completely unethical.

Eingefleischte Klassik-Puristen dürfte das Grauen überkommen bei dem Gedanken, die großen Komponisten in eine Hitliste der 50 Besten zu zwängen. Doch Goulding macht das so kurzweilig und informativ (dabei nie dogmatisch), dass der Ranking-Trick in diesem Fall bestens funktioniert. Auch für mich als schon langjähriger Liebhaber dieser Musik gab es eine Fülle Neues zu erfahren. Der Autor spannt einen weiten Bogen, und indem er Komponisten und Werke häufig zueinander in Beziehung setzt bekommt man so einen sehr guten Überblick über die Welt der klassischen Musik und kann Epochen, Werke und Komponisten gut einordnen. Dazu gibt es eine Fülle informativer und auch unterhaltsamer Hintergrundinformationen und Anekdoten.Vor allem aber macht das Buch ganz viel Lust, sich (wieder?) mit klassischer Musik zu befassen bzw. den einen oder anderen Komponisten neu zu entdecken. Es gibt eine gewaltige Fülle von Hör-Empfehlungen, für den Schnelleinstieg hat Goulding zu jedem Komponisten ein "Starterkit" gepackt, was es vor allem Neulingen erleichtern dürfte, schnell Zugang zu finden. Als Einführung in die klassische Musik (dabei durchaus mit Tiefgang) habe ich noch kein so gutes und angenehm zu lesendes Buch gefunden wie dieses.