Customer Reviews

Title doesn't describe contents - By: kittiwake, 28 Nov 2007
I don't think this is a Friendly Guide to Classical Music at all. I think it should be entitled 'A Friendly Guide to Classical Composers' & then it would be very good indeed.
Because it is, simply, a chronological biography of Classical Composers.
There is no information about the development, make up or instruments of the different types of orchestra.
There is no information about the different types of music, eg Symphony & Concerto, Cantata, Opera - all things you would hear referred to on Classic FM.
I bought this for my daughter-in-law - a newcomer to Classic FM - & I am deeply disappointed.

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A good example of how to make classical music interesting - By: Mart Music, 04 Nov 2007

This is a great little book, anotherin the Classic FM 'Friendly' series, & just like its Beethoven, Mozart & Elgar 'Friendly' relatives, is so easy to read & full of interesting snippets of information.

Classic FM have for several years been diversifying their product range & books such as this are targeted at the newcomer to the sometimes daunting & confusing world of classical music.

Completely free of the 'serious' approach which is sometimes offputting to the classical novice, the book is presentedin an extremely interesting & lighthearted way, making it both easy to read yet full of the important facts to get the reader engrossedin the world of classic music.

Importantly, the book concentrates on the actual subject of music & its composers rather than getting entrenchedin the theories of music or sidetracked by the technicalities of each instrument usedin the orchestra.

The paper quality & binding are similar to the othersin the series, which I find a little on the budget side, but the book includes a free CD of classical highlights so does offer good value for money.

There are numerous books which aim to introduce classical music to a wider audience, but few are as easy as this one to pick up & read during those spare five minutes.

Well done again Classic FM.

For information, this is a summary of the 224 pages:

Page/chapter title

1 Who Was Composing When
16 Early Music
34 The Baroque Period
58 The Classical Period
80 The Romantic Period
139 The 20th Century
167 The 21st Century
186 Have a Listen For Yourself
199 Classic FM Hall of Fame Top 100
204 What They Said About Each Other
207 Classical Music Usedin Films
211 Where To Find Out More
216 Index