Synopses & Reviews
In this entertaining and engaging book, Marianne Williams Tobias demystifies the potentially intimidating world of classical music for a general readership. Classical Music Without Fear aims at the intelligent reader by demonstrating the universality and relevancy of classical music to today's listeners.
Review
"This fabulous book will appeal to novices, professionals and everyone in--between." --André Watts Indiana University Press
Review
"Williams Tobias gives friendly advice on how to get into music, definitions and explanations, and offers 'time zones' to put it all in place, complete with artistic examples of those periods. A well--considered, nicely put--together guide.--St. Louis Post-Dispatch" --Dispatch Indiana University Press Indiana University Press Indiana University Press
About the Author
Marianne Williams Tobias is a graduate of Harvard University, Longy School of Music and the University of Minnesota, where she earned a double D.M.A. in piano performance and historical musicology.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements
1. Getting Started
Why Go to a Classical Music Concert?
How to Use This Book
What to Expect at a Classical Music Concert
Typical Concert Program Explained
A Quick Guide to Preparing for a Classical Music Concert
Differences Between Classical and Popular Music
Finding Concerts in Your Area
2. The Time Zones
The Extravagant Baroque
The Cool Classical
The Emotional Romantic
Suave Impressionism
The Fragmented 20th Century
3. Reading Music: Reading a Book
Standard Notation
Visualizing Music
Reading Scores
4. Musical Sampler
Starting Your Own CD Collection
Composers and Their Works
Glossary (Endpages)