Classical Music by Phil G. Goulding Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Classical Music
Book Review: Gets you started--then you can make up your own mind!
Summary: 4 Stars
This book makes an excellent addition to the library of any budding classical music aficionado. It is informative and presented in a clear format that gives the reader a foundation for musical exploration as well as logical direction.Much of the early chapters ("The Organization of Sound," "Setting the Stage") is written for the rank beginner. I found myself skimming these chapters, as will most readers who already know the differences between melody and harmony, strings and woodwinds, baroque and romantic. A beginner will find it helpful while not dry, and it's well-organized for later reference.
The bulk of the book is then given to a discussion of "The 50 Greatest Composers and Their 1,000 Greatest Works." Goulding gives a nutshell biography, with some colorful sidebars, that gives a good overview of the composers' lives, times, influences, strengths, and weaknesses.
After the bio is the most valuable part of the book--the greatest works of that composer. Goulding presents a "Starter Kit," a "Top Ten," and a "Master Collection" for each of the 50 composers. This allows a classical music newcomer to get the breadth of composers and the depth of a composer that appeals to them. That's what makes this book one that will be a long-time reference work rather than a one-off "beginners only" guide.
Most "composer's guides" seem to favor an egalitarian, arbitrary ordering--alphabetical, chronological--rather than passing judgment about the composer's worth. (I guess it's fortunate for the music beginner that one encounters Bach and Beethoven early on in either an alphabetical or chronological ordering!) I find that Goulding's rankings give direction to exploring classical music. By the time the reader is through the top 10 or top 20 in the list they've gotten to know the majority of the most important composers and their most important works.
It's easy to quibble with individual rankings--for example, I would place Sibelius (ah, his wonderful Third Symphony!) higher than #28, and there's no way you could convince me that Wagner is a better composer than Haydn or Schubert--but hard to say with a straight face that a beginner should learn Hindemith before Strauss, or Verdi before Bach.
Ultimately, there's no ranking that matters, other than one's own. Even that's a difficult proposition. Do I like Bach or Beethoven better? Darned if I know--they both "do it" for me, and (to quote Forrest Gump) that's all I've got to say about that.
My fault with the book is that Goulding's Chapter I amounts to an unnecessary justification of his ranking system, rather than diving into musical "required knowledge" and then discussing composers after laying the groundwork. Just note all the reviews more concerned with presentation (i.e., the ranking system) rather than content!
He also wastes some ink on some contrived statistics based on his rankings--ranks by nationality, century of birth, etc.--that don't do much of anything that someone who cared about that sort of thing couldn't do for themselves in an Excel spreadsheet in a half hour.
Buy this guidebook for its clear direction on where to start listening and how to broaden and deepen one's knowledge, take Goulding's opinions with a grain of salt, and acquire enough experience to form your own opinions.
Book Review: Good book with one puzzle?
Summary: 3 Stars
The ranking of the composers seems fair & reasonable. It will be better though if the author say more about why he rates it this way at the end of each composer's description. Most music lovers will agree that Bach, Beethoven & Mozart are the three greatest composers. The only thing puzzles me is the Cover of the book. The picture on the cover shows three men: Beethover, ? and Mozart. Everyone will guess the Center one must be Bach---Johann Sebastian Bach, the top one of the rating. I have read many music books and know what JS Bach look like and I recognize the picture in the center is NOT JS Bach, but JC Bach---Johann Christian Bach, a son of JS Bach. Since there is no mention at all about JC Bach in the entire book, I think it is totaly inappropriate & misleading to put JC Bach in the cover. For reference, the picture of Johann Sebastian Bach & Johann Christian Bach can be found in the book: Eyewitness Companions-Classical Music, a DK book, 2005, published by DK Publishing, Inc. Page 117 shows JS Bach & page 142 show JC Bach.
Book Review: Great Book On The Often Daunting World Of Classical Music
Summary: 5 Stars
Of all the books I have read on classical music, this one has got to be the most straight forward. Simple to understand for any beginner, it explains, not only some history of the composer, but the most signifigant pieces that composer produced. Thankfully, by the time I read this book, I already knew a great deal about classical music (well music history in general 'cause really there are five different periods reffered to in this book, not just the 'classical' period, those being: Renaissance; Baroque; Classical; Romantic and Twentieth Century). This book shines because it approaches the reader as a human being, knowing full well that not all of us know the meaning of texture and melody, of tone color and form. Phil Goulding is a master at meeting the reader at level, at becoming an equal to the reader. If you are interested in 'Classical' music, than this is an essential book to own, so it can be reffered to on many future occasions. One of my favorite aspects of this book is its ranking of the Top 50 composers of all time, I agree with the Top 3, though not in the order they are in currently: Bach (1); Mozart (2) and Beethoven (3). My list would have Beethoven (1); Mozart and Bach tied in 2nd and Brahms 3rd. Just to let you know. Five out of Five.Book Review: Great for Beginners
Summary: 5 Stars
If you want to learn about classical music but haven't a clue about the subject, this is the book to get. It not only gives you entertaining bios on the major figures of classical music, it has the classical version of the "Top Ten Hits" so you can build a collection of the most famous pieces. After reading Goulding's book and listening to the recommended "hits", you'll be recognizing classical masterpieces used in movie soundtracks, television advertising, and on the radio like an expert, but most importantly you'll develop a wonderful appreciation for the great classical composers and expand your musical horizons.Book Review: Great, accessible book
Summary: 5 Stars
So far this book has been a very friendly book for those who are not musically oriented people. I'd highly recommend this book for anyone wanting to learn a little more about classical music and the major composers in history. Love it!