Classical Music by Phil G. Goulding Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Classical Music
Book Review: It's both good and bad
Summary: 2 Stars
What's good is that it's nice for a book that is approachable and conversationally written to be available to help a beginner. It functions as both a pleasant read and a good source of information for the beginner to figure out what pieces of music are best first-buys by a particular composer. But there's a big caveat here, which is that there are lots of other things that make this book an AWFUL first purchase for a beginner. First of all, no beginner's book should be so offensively and intrusively opinionated insofar as how to "rank" the composers. Ranking vastly different composers from different eras in terms of their amorphous "greatness" doesn't make any sense and is not something that a person with much experience with classical music would ever or should ever do. That Goulding admits that he *doesn't* have a whole lot of experience or background with classical music makes his attempt all the less credible. In fact, it's a pointless waste of time and will only pigeonhole a beginner in terms what music you'll be exposed to. Which is another problem here -- the list itself leaves much to be desired. This is a good list of 18th and 19th century composers, and this book should be taken as a survey of ONLY this music (and a few 20th century artists following their lead). This book has incredibly poor coverage of 20th century music and it is not exactly a small minority opinion that much of the greatest work in the classical canon was composed in the 20th century. But, this book would have the beginner believe that there isn't much in the 20th century worth hearing, and even if there was, it still wouldn't be of much value when compared to earlier composers. Personally, I find offensive the notion that someone should be steered in the direction of half of the names in the top 30 instead of Bartok, Ives or Messiaen, (the last two of which didn't even make the list) and I believe that anybody with a solid *comprehensive* grounding in classical music will have the same strong reservations about this book as I. For any beginners who like the book and the music contained within, I say "now look deeper." You've only scratched the surface of the great music and composers that are out there.Book Review: Lots of fun
Summary: 5 Stars
If you like lists and rankings, then this is the book for you. The author ranks the top 50 composers as well as the top five and top ten works that the uninitiated should try as a starter kit for each composer. He also has a lot of fun with the book by making witty comments along the way, like his opening paragraph on Wagner where he tells us what a despicable human being (and great composer) Wagner was. I was quite unfamiliar with classical music when I bought this book and it has been a tremendous tool for discovering some of the great works by the great composers.Book Review: Rating of Great Composers
Summary: 4 Stars
There are a lot of books about classical music. This one is unique that it tries to rate them in greatness. However, I did not find the exact definition of Greatness in the book. For what it worth, I just have to assume that it is the Influence of the work to music history and human civilization. I totally agree with author's top 10 list. If there is anything I'd like to change that is the switch of order between Mozart & Beethoven. I think Beethoven's overall influence & caliber of works are above Mozart. The rating from 10 to 20 is debatable. If I have a choice, I will put Berlioz, Bizet, Sibelius & Weber between 10 and 20. This means to bump out perhaps Shostakovich, Prokofiev, Mahler and Richard Strauss. Overall, this is a great book and resource of classical music. The only thing I don't quite understand is that (perhaps I miss something or my memory is getting bad) the picture shown on the cover of the book. They are Bach, Mozart & Beethoven, the Immortals. But I have a hunch that the picture in the middle is not a real Johann Sebastian Bach. He sure looks like Johann Christian Bach!!! If you flip to page 96 to see Bach's picture, you will know what I mean. Christian is the son of Sebastian but he is no match to his father's greatness. I don't mean I am absolute correct. But if somebody really goof the picture of Sebastian, it is going to be a great joke to this great book.Book Review: The Music's Essential Companion
Summary: 5 Stars
'Classical Music: The 50 Greatest Composers and Their 1,000 Greatest Works' by Phil G. Goulding is a superb account of the masters who infused our creative culture with immeasurable richness. While we might question the rankings Goulding assigns each composer, because of personal preference, there would be an almost unanimous acceptance of the composers themselves.My favourite is Franz Schubert, and Goulding, in a deliciously revealing biography, finally solves the mystery surrounding the 3rd and 4th movements of Schubert's famous 'Unfinished' 8th Symphony. After months of research at the University of Vienna, Goulding discovered an unpublished letter dated April 6, 1822, from Schubert to his friend, the German poet, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. After weeks of meticulous translating, Goulding was both astonished and gratified. He had the answer that had evaded scholars for years. The translated letter, on page 73, reads:
'Dear Wolfie
Last night occurred a profound event. I was engaged upon the creation of my most ambitious work, my Eighth Symphony. I had taken no solid sustenance or beverage for 72 hours, and my eyes were heavy from fatigue. As I began the 3rd movement, utterly detached from prosaic cogency by some mystical, musical maelstrom, Heidi, my young housekeeper, suddenly burst into the room and said, "Herr Schubert, you must rest and take nourishment. Would you like to see my dumplings?"
Ah, Wolfie, such dumplings I saw!
Whereupon the maelstrom calmed, the muse misted and that was it. Kaput. I now wonder if I will ever get the wretched thing finished.
In fact, I've even lost interest in finishing this let...'
'Classical Music: The 50 Greatest Composers and Their 1,000 Greatest Works' is an essential text for all who admire genius.
Book Review: This book changed my life!
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this book back in 1993 because I always loved classical music but knew very little about it. I cannot say enough good things about Goulding's work. The book is funny and well-written, but more importantly well-thought-out. It is is extremely useful and highly, highly recommended for someone who wants to learn about classical music and build a collection. (FYI: As for the previous comment about Rachmoninoff, he is actually in the book, although not listed as a Top 50 in terms of importance and greatness. Goulding apparently agonized over this decision and includes a very funny section about it.)