Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Classical Music: ...But Were Too Afraid to Ask

by Darren Henley

For readers who are unsure of the difference between an alto and a contralto, wonder exactly when to applaud at a concert, or aren't even sure what music they should be listening to in the first place, this is the perfect guide

All too often, potential classical music listeners are put off due to its perceived elitism. This book gleefully dispels this notion and many others as it works brilliantly to make classical music not only accessible, but also disarmingly simple and utterly engrossing. It is broken into three sections designed to steer readers through the terminology and etiquette of classical music; open the fascinating history of the genre and its key figures over the last thousand years, showing their sheer brilliance coupled with their very human natures; and provide an indispensible reference guide for any reader, whether they prefer traditional chamber music or sweeping film scores.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, History, Reference

242 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Darren Henley OBE is chief executive of Arts Council England. His two independent government reviews into music and cultural education resulted in England's first National Plan for Music Education, new networks of Music Education Hubs, Cultural Education Partnerships and Heritage Schools, the Museums and Schools programme, the BFI Film Academy and the National Youth Dance Company. Before joining the Arts Council, he led Classic FM for fifteen years. He holds degrees in politics from the University of Hull, in management from the University of South Wales and in history of art from the University of Buckingham. A recipient of the British Academy President's Medal for his contributions to music education, music research and the arts, his books include The Virtuous Circle: Why Creativity and Cultural Education Count and The Arts Dividend: Why Investment in Culture Pays.

Reviews

[Kris (My Novelesque Life) · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE CLASSICAL FM HANDY GUIDES TO EVERYTHING YOU EVER WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT CLASSICAL MUSIC
Written by Darren Henley
2012, 224 Pages
Genre: music, nonfiction

(I received an ARC from the NETGALLEY in exchange for an honest review.)

★★★1/2

Since I was a little I have been attracted to classical music. I would listen to opera on the radio and have no clue what they were saying but just loved the intensity of vocal and music. This was a cool book to read over time. It gives you not just the description of different music but it also gives you the history around the time that that music was "born" and popular. It's an easy read as it is more than just a reference book, but it can start to drag if you try to read it cover to cover.

[Zara's Corner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. In fact, I loved it so much that I intend on buying myself a copy.

This book has helped me understand a number of musical terms which helps me feel connected to what is called 'classical music'.

This book is written with a great balance of brevity, hilarity and seriousness where needed. It doesn't use a lot of technical jargon which means it is very user friendly and enables people like myself, who doesn't unnderstand musical terminology, to get an insight into this type of music. There are many pieces of classical music named to give you an example of the type of music they're talking about.

I would highly recommend this book to anybody who wants to understand classical far better than they do but they don't want to have to get a degree to do it.

Well done to the authors of this book.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good, easy read, perfect for those who just starting to find out more about classical music. Not boring or stuffy in the least. Highly recommended!

[Ross · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very easy very quick to read
Funny engaging accessible

[Mary Lou · Rating 4 out of 5]

The perfect book for those who like classical music, but don't know the first thing about it. A nice little reference with a dictionary of music terms, a breakdown of music history by era, and mini-biographies of the world's great composers listing some of their signature works, "Everything" has just the right amount of information. The authors even had me chuckling a few times. Only one thing missing: a companion disc to give the reader a sampling of the music discussed. I think I may have to buy this book to have on hand as a guide for checking out classical CDs at the library, and to use as a reference to help get maximum enjoyment out of the music as I listen. Even though it's a quick, easy read, there's a lot of information packed into this book, and I can imagine using it often.

[V · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put it down! It was so interesting, despite it's simple chronological format. It was such a good idea to write the history of classical music his way!

[Dawn Livingston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, this is a reference book meant to be owned I think.

It defines words used in classical music. I like that it defined words used in the classical music world, like Fugue, Concerto, Requiem etc. I see these words in the name of a piece of music and have no idea what it means or if it means I might like it or not. If I know that there is a certain kind of music then I can perhaps look for CDs of it. Yeah, I know, I'm old fashioned but I don't understand the new technology not even the difference between downloading and uploading. I take it back, downloading s when you take something and put it on you computer or phone. Uploading is when you take content from your computer and send it somewhere else. I think.

They choose the best known names in classical music and talk about their music and their most popular pieces. That was helpful.

It talks about the eras of classical music from early classical to the 21st century including names of the composers of that time, their best pieces, when they were born and died and info about their life, a mini-biography. I found out about familiar composers who had done pieces I love. I also loved that for 20th century they included Paul McCartney, John Williams, James Horner, Howard Shore and others that I know and love.

My father got me into classical music with Scherazade by Rimsky-Korsakov and then I saw Star Wars and the music was just as amazing as the movie imo. Then of course there was the Imperial March in Empire Strikes Back. Then there was James Horner I think who did the music for The Wrath of Khan which I thought was a standout score. The music from the Lord of the Rings saga is something I highly recommend. Howard Shore was fantastic. So, I have liked classical music for years just been mostly ignorant of the ins and outs, the history and composers.

I have learned what I know of classical music from compilation CDs that I highly recommend you get if you can. One is called Decaf Classics (RCA Victor) which as you might guess, is the quieter side of classical music, soothing. Then Cappuccino Classics (RCA VIctor) which are the more high spirited pieces including the theme from The Lone Ranger. Then something for those that might be interested in Opera. The CD title is Tenors Greatest Hits (RCA Victor) featuring Placido Domingo, Jose Carreras and Pavarotti. Another interesting Opera CD is called Great Tenors of the Century. I got it basically to hear Enrico Caruso who I have heard was the best of all time and because my great grandmother played his music all the time. Most of the tenors I have never heard before expect by the three I mentioned above. Honestly, I was not interested in all the difference tenors. I want to hear the most famous opera pieces and I'm sure I will probably like the piece just fine, for me it's the music that takes the front seat and the singer that takes the back, after all if they're professionals then they must be good.

I have to admit for a fondness for the Irish Tenors; Ronan Tynan, Anthony Kearns and John McDermott. I don't know where they fit in the heirarchy of good tenors but I like them alot, especially Anthony Kearns. Such a rich, strong voice. I get the impression they are looked down on by the operatic community but II could be wrong.

I discovered I like the energy of marches so I got a compilation of marches called Fiedler's Favorite Marches (Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops). He's not a composer but a director but the CD is really good nonetheless.

The remaining CDs I recommend are the compilations Music for a Stress-less World: Stress Busters (RCA VIctor) which is a lot like Decaf Classics but different enough to get both; Mad About the Classics and though not a compilation it, like Scheherazade, it's one of my favorite pieces of music by composer Holst and is called The Planets. The Planets is broken down into 7 pieces of music starting with Mars, Bringer of War which is my favorite and my guess was the inspiration of John Williams for the Imperial March. Venus, the Bringer of Peace, and Mercury, the Winged Messenger, and others follow.

The book goes on to list who composed what when and ends the book with their classical music top 300. Yes, I said 300, that is why I feel this book is a reference book. One can hardly read this book and research the music suggested in the time you get from the library, especially if you don't want to devote all your time to doing just that.

I highly recommend this book, great inspiration to listen to music you may never have heard of or get more info on what you already know.

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

Classic FM's Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Classical Music: But Were Too Afraid to Ask is a decent introduction to classical music for any newcomers to the genre. It assumes no prior knowledge on the part of the reader and is written in a clear and accessible way throughout, balancing a decent level of technical detail with more light-hearted and informal commentary. A helpful section at the start of the book aims to de-mystify the genre by providing simple definitions of the non-English terminology often used in classical music (e.g. staccato vs legato, adagio vs allegro), and the rest of the book is largely devoted to the key periods of classical music (early music; baroque; classical music; early romanticism; late romanticism; 20th century; 21st century), the key composers from those periods, and the key pieces of music to listen to.

The major limitation of the book is one that is shared with all books on classical music - it is far better to teach somebody about classical music by actually letting them listen to it, rather than attempting to describe it in words. For that reason, I'd recommend the reader takes this one slowly, with YouTube open so that s/he can listen to snippets of the various pieces that are recommended. Other than that (unavoidable) issue, I would just say that occasionally the priorities felt a bit off. For example, I question whether the novice reader really cares about the merits of different classical music record labels, and I felt the space might have been better used by describing in more detail the identifying characteristics of the different periods of classical music, as this was a little rushed. Still, overall, I think this will be a valuable read for somebody looking to dip their toe into the world of classical music. 6/10

[Emily Mueller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent introduction to classical music! This book did a wonderful job covering all the important composers of each period without getting too bogged down with the technical jargon, and the writer had a wonderful voice that kept drier parts understandable while also displaying a fine-tuned sense of humor. The fact alone that there's an entire chapter dedicated to the hilariously mean things composers said about one another's work is proof of that. I'd highly recommend for anyone wanting to learn a little more about classical music. It's a lot easier than a music minor. Trust me on this one.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an excellent introduction to classical music. I imagine it's a difficult read if you are absolutely new to classical music. But if you're already familiar and want to broaden your knowledge and understanding, this is a useful book. I learned so much, and found so many new and great composers!

[Josephine · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

Nothing much to report. Interesting, well written read.

[Cameron · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great starting point for me on my journey into classical music. A good glossary of terms and just enough info about a lot of the composers and periods to get you interested.

[Karan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Essentially the same book as "Everything You wanted to know about Classical Music... But were afraid to ask" but with an added padding of period-specific playlists of some of the most epoch-defining pieces of music by the Greats.

For me (your average Western classical music listener and non-musician), this volume has been instrumental in serialising the composers and music-eras in my head and playing a mental Spot-the-Era while listening to radio into a bit of a pastime. I think if you are curious and somewhat overwhelmed by the randomness in the variety of music that tends to play from the variety shows in most classical radio programs, investing yourself in the book's mission is a great way to let yourself get familiar with the musical disciplines and arrangements just to have a sense of evolution of music creation in the West (and mentally lose yourself in the eras from which the respective soundscapes emerged, and the musical missions that the contemporary classical music writers and conductors are taking).

Henley writes crisply, cannot help inserting rare composers and trivia (a lifetime of penning about and broadcasting classical music behind him!), is accessible at all time and refreshingly secular giving due credence to the contemporary movie and game soundtracks.

The book is leaner than the previous edition and in about the same number of pages, it packs in period-specific playlists, more biographical data (saved space by letting composers' name and years of life to flow with the text).

In all this is a nifty little car-pocket or desktop reference for a page or so on the lodestars and forgotten galaxies of little known composers who have helped define and refine the Western musical universe although I hope that everyone investing in this understand the bombastic promise behind the title. Other than the serialisation and biographical notes of chief (and less heard) composers, there are very few lines expended on deconstructing the motifs and elements of the classical music's various forms down the years. It's certainly a wonderful aid to everything you want to know about it, but let's not call this "everything".

[Alexis · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a really simple, to-the-point and informative guide to beginning a journey into classical music. I enjoyed its own history of classical music throughout the ages, and the way it successfully made me curious about the composers it chose. One thing I would recommend for anyone reading it though is that you should keep a list of the pieces recommended because let me tell you - there are a lot of them. A lot. 1600 years worth of classical music condensed still adds up to a lot of music. Especially if your book is a borrowed copy, then skip the Hall of Fame chapter (the authors even warn the reader that those chapters are meant for reference, not for continuous reading) and look it up on the Classic FM website instead...

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great resource! Well-written, perfectly edited, well-organized. Ah, there is so much in this book! Contains interesting biographies of 107 top composers -- divided into the different eras of classical music, including present time. Covers the history of classical music over 1000 years, up to the present. Plus, a time-line of composers including what else was going on in the world at the time. The authors are associated with a British Classical Music Radio Station. They list the top 300 favorite classical works of the British listeners. Great list!

The only downside for we Americans is that we cannot access their website.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Classical music is extremely difficult topic to tackle as an amateur and often quite overwhelming. As an amateur myself, Classic FM books and their website are the best starters. They are simple to understand and with their insight, it offers a great shortcut to learn and love all there is to know about classical music! Definitely a great way to learn all the essentials of classical music, even for non-amateurs.

[Palermo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very quick and simple read. The format is disappointing. It divides the composers up by periods and the largest chunk of the book is dedicated to speeding through 100+ composers. Would have preferred more time spent on discussing the evolution of classical music rather than superficial bios of composers.

[Seawood · Rating 3 out of 5]

Handy intro to classical music terms. Good timeline of composers and their influence with lots of recommendations. Sadly the tables are poorly formatted for the Kindle so these are next to useless, but overall if you want to slot composers into the evolution of music, this is a good guide.

[Glenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brief history of some of the notable composers throughout Classical music. Reads a little bit like pub trivia at times but the 'Handy Playlist' guides at the end of the chapter are invaluable.

[Joe Sampson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written concise book about classical music.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

On loan