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WHO KNEW
Did you ever leave an opera performance wondering why the singers use so much vibrato? Or a symphony, wondering who decided where on stage the orchestra members should sit, or why they tune their instruments to an oboe rather than an electronic tuner? Why is Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture played on the 4th of July? And how does a composer choose what key to compose in?
In Who Knew?: Answers to Questions about Classical Music You Never Thought to Ask, master music educator Robert A. Cutietta provides lucid answers to these and more than 140 other questions submitted by listeners to his popular weekly radio program. Through its pages, this highly readable guide touches on some of the most curiosity-inducing aspects of the tradition, from why audiences refrain from applauding between movements to how opera singers warm up on the night of a big debut. The responses are drawn from conversations with professional musicians and music educators, giving a rare glimpse into how musicians think and talk about their work. Lovers of classical music who would like to flesh out their understanding are sure to find a powerful resource in Cutietta's down-to-earth guide, and even seasoned listeners are sure to learn a thing or two. This book will provide hours of enjoyment as readers invariably shake their heads and ask in wonderment, "Who knew!"
In Who Knew?: Answers to Questions about Classical Music You Never Thought to Ask, master music educator Robert A. Cutietta provides lucid answers to these and more than 140 other questions submitted by listeners to his popular weekly radio program. Through its pages, this highly readable guide touches on some of the most curiosity-inducing aspects of the tradition, from why audiences refrain from applauding between movements to how opera singers warm up on the night of a big debut. The responses are drawn from conversations with professional musicians and music educators, giving a rare glimpse into how musicians think and talk about their work. Lovers of classical music who would like to flesh out their understanding are sure to find a powerful resource in Cutietta's down-to-earth guide, and even seasoned listeners are sure to learn a thing or two. This book will provide hours of enjoyment as readers invariably shake their heads and ask in wonderment, "Who knew!"
- GenresMusicNonfictionAmerican
346 pages, Paperback
Published October 3, 2016
About the author
Robert A. Cutietta
5 booksRobert Alan Cutietta (born 1953) is best known as an educator, author, researcher, composer, and arts leader. He is the author or co-author of five books and over fifty referereed research articles in the area of music psychology and education. He is also a composer, having written for television shows and movies.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
July 5, 2016
My interest in classical music began as an eight year old piano student, grew in my teen years as I listened to Mom's classical music LPs (a set bought weekly at the grocery store!), and spurred by several school trips to the symphony. My husband and I both love attending symphony concerts. But there is a lot I don't know.
In 2006 Dr. Robert A. Cutietta, Dean of the University of Southern California's Thornton School of Music, began his weekly radio segment Ask the Dean. Callers submitted questions about classical music, and Cutietta found the answers with the help of faculty and experts. Who Knew? Answers to Questions About Classical Music You Never Thought to Ask is a collection of some of the most interesting.
I learned much from this book. The book has a conversational writing style with a nice dose of humor.
140 Questions are arranged in topics:
The Orchestra and How it Works
The Maestro and Music Director
Opera and the Diva
The Composer
The Performers
The Instruments of the Orchestra
The Music
This and That
I read the book cover to cover, but one could also pick and choose topics to read. Some things I learned: it takes three hours to make an oboe reed; that Joshua Bell (the amazing violinist who we heard a few months ago with the DSO) once busked in the Washington D.C. Metro system earning $32 with only six people stopping to listen; why conductors use batons; and the science of harmonics.
"All music is about something," Cutietta writes, taking listeners beyond words to universal human experiences. It is always changing as society changes. For those with some interest in classical music this book this book will add to your appreciation.
I received a free ebook from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
In 2006 Dr. Robert A. Cutietta, Dean of the University of Southern California's Thornton School of Music, began his weekly radio segment Ask the Dean. Callers submitted questions about classical music, and Cutietta found the answers with the help of faculty and experts. Who Knew? Answers to Questions About Classical Music You Never Thought to Ask is a collection of some of the most interesting.
I learned much from this book. The book has a conversational writing style with a nice dose of humor.
140 Questions are arranged in topics:
The Orchestra and How it Works
The Maestro and Music Director
Opera and the Diva
The Composer
The Performers
The Instruments of the Orchestra
The Music
This and That
I read the book cover to cover, but one could also pick and choose topics to read. Some things I learned: it takes three hours to make an oboe reed; that Joshua Bell (the amazing violinist who we heard a few months ago with the DSO) once busked in the Washington D.C. Metro system earning $32 with only six people stopping to listen; why conductors use batons; and the science of harmonics.
"All music is about something," Cutietta writes, taking listeners beyond words to universal human experiences. It is always changing as society changes. For those with some interest in classical music this book this book will add to your appreciation.
I received a free ebook from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
May 9, 2017
Who Knew? from Robert A. Cutietta is a wonderful resource for both the seasoned classical music fan and the listener new to the genre. Based on a long-running radio show where he answers questions submitted to him, this book manages to be thorough and engaging at the same time.
I fall some place in the middle of that spectrum of classical listeners and also probably ranks classical as my fourth or fifth favorite genre, so this book serves to fill in a lot of gaps in my knowledge. I have been surprised that some of the answers have made me think about other genres, in particular bands and musicians I have known, and how similar some of the hidden rules and regs seem to be. Though without the history and tradition of classical music.
In addition to helping make better informed listeners the book also brings a new appreciation to all aspects of classical music as both music and as a performance/entertainment business in the 21st century. Quite a lot goes into every single performance and so often the listener just thinks about that brief interlude of the performance itself.
I would highly recommend this to anyone interested in classical music at any level. I also think people involved with other types of music will enjoy this and gain a new appreciation for the music and performance of classical music.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
I fall some place in the middle of that spectrum of classical listeners and also probably ranks classical as my fourth or fifth favorite genre, so this book serves to fill in a lot of gaps in my knowledge. I have been surprised that some of the answers have made me think about other genres, in particular bands and musicians I have known, and how similar some of the hidden rules and regs seem to be. Though without the history and tradition of classical music.
In addition to helping make better informed listeners the book also brings a new appreciation to all aspects of classical music as both music and as a performance/entertainment business in the 21st century. Quite a lot goes into every single performance and so often the listener just thinks about that brief interlude of the performance itself.
I would highly recommend this to anyone interested in classical music at any level. I also think people involved with other types of music will enjoy this and gain a new appreciation for the music and performance of classical music.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
July 30, 2017
Very interesting to read for the "uneducated listener." I got the most out of the last section of "This and That" questions, and it's a pity it was so short. I'm glad that many of the questions were ones I had thought to ask, but never would've, because who would readily admit such lack of knowledge? This book is also good at debunking some classical music myths. I expected a quicker read given the structure of questions and answers, but for some reason I didn't get into the rhythm (hehe), so I'm giving only 4/5 stars.
October 3, 2018
Anybody with an interest in classical music should read this book. If you are not yourself a musician, you will find the book accessible. If you are a musician, you will still learn an awful lot.
As you might imagine from a book based on a radio show, the writing is engaging and accessible to a broad audience. Thoroughly delightful, I wish it were longer, and I will have to start listening to his show online.
As you might imagine from a book based on a radio show, the writing is engaging and accessible to a broad audience. Thoroughly delightful, I wish it were longer, and I will have to start listening to his show online.
July 3, 2019
A good review for those of us who have performed in school and community bands and orchestras. A nice addition to anyone studying music and traditions. If you love music trivia this book might interest you.
After a few chapters it can get a bit dry and you must take a break.
We enjoyed reading it on a long car trip.
After a few chapters it can get a bit dry and you must take a break.
We enjoyed reading it on a long car trip.
August 7, 2017
I've got a decent understanding of classical music and classical concerts, but I learned something new with the answer to almost every question in this book. It is absolutely worth reading for anyone who likes classical music.
November 22, 2018
I'm a professional musician and I still learned a lot of things I never knew. Fun read.
June 27, 2022
Oriented more to the musically trained than the casual music lover, but I did learn some things about classical music.
June 16, 2016
This book is so funny that you may think it's not serious, but you would be wrong. Every thing you have never asked about classical music and instruments, and pieces and conductor and singers and so on, and seriously I have never thought about asking more than half the questions that were here explained, so I recommend this book to almost everyone that has an interest in classical music.
Questo libro é talmente divertente da non sembrare serio, ma lo é. Tutto quello che riguarda la musica classica, gli strumenti, i cantanti lirici, i direttori; i pezzi e cosí via, e davvero io non avrei nemmeno mai lontanamente immaginato piú della metá delle domande a cui risponde l'autore, quindi consiglio questo volume a tutti coloro che hanno anche il minimo interesse nei riguardi della musica classica.
THANKS TO NETGALLEY AND OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS FOR THE PREVIEW!
Questo libro é talmente divertente da non sembrare serio, ma lo é. Tutto quello che riguarda la musica classica, gli strumenti, i cantanti lirici, i direttori; i pezzi e cosí via, e davvero io non avrei nemmeno mai lontanamente immaginato piú della metá delle domande a cui risponde l'autore, quindi consiglio questo volume a tutti coloro che hanno anche il minimo interesse nei riguardi della musica classica.
THANKS TO NETGALLEY AND OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS FOR THE PREVIEW!
September 21, 2016
From Netgalley for a Review
The timing of finding this book was quite perfect, around the same time I selected it to read I found a French Horn at a thrift store. Now a little backstory, I used to play the horn and had dreams of joining a symphony, but my life went in an unexpected direction and I had to stop playing for years, seriously it has been over fifteen years since I had my hands on a horn, finding it was like a homecoming.
The world of classical music is a vast and complex thing, this book acted as a great introduction to that world, or a much needed refresher! The tone was quite enjoyable as well, witty and conversational, occasionally poking fun at various aspects of the culture (I of course was amused by the discussion of horn players self importance and how an orchestra has sooo many violins for a reason) overall this was a great read!
The timing of finding this book was quite perfect, around the same time I selected it to read I found a French Horn at a thrift store. Now a little backstory, I used to play the horn and had dreams of joining a symphony, but my life went in an unexpected direction and I had to stop playing for years, seriously it has been over fifteen years since I had my hands on a horn, finding it was like a homecoming.
The world of classical music is a vast and complex thing, this book acted as a great introduction to that world, or a much needed refresher! The tone was quite enjoyable as well, witty and conversational, occasionally poking fun at various aspects of the culture (I of course was amused by the discussion of horn players self importance and how an orchestra has sooo many violins for a reason) overall this was a great read!
August 20, 2016
Overall: 5/5
Cover: 5/5 (LOVE IT!)
Content: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
AMAZING.
The world of classical music is not a simple world, with combination of art and history, this rich part of human culture consists of LOTS OF KNOWLEDGE. The point of this book is to explain knowledge of classical music and answer poeple's question about it, so the author wrote in a way that was quite easy to understand. I was pretty amazed that some of my own questions were answered in this book! I'm so gonna grab a copy of this when the phyical copies are out. For classical music lovers, this is definitely a handbook and a must-have for all students that are studying music as their major.
I received an advanced readers' copy from NetGalley.
Cover: 5/5 (LOVE IT!)
Content: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
AMAZING.
The world of classical music is not a simple world, with combination of art and history, this rich part of human culture consists of LOTS OF KNOWLEDGE. The point of this book is to explain knowledge of classical music and answer poeple's question about it, so the author wrote in a way that was quite easy to understand. I was pretty amazed that some of my own questions were answered in this book! I'm so gonna grab a copy of this when the phyical copies are out. For classical music lovers, this is definitely a handbook and a must-have for all students that are studying music as their major.
I received an advanced readers' copy from NetGalley.
October 3, 2016
Complete review available: Who Knew
An engaging book that it is easy to dip in and out of. As the chapters progress, the reader not only gets a better understanding of classical music, but Cutietta seems to fall into the flow more, adding a more light-hearted touch with elements of humour. Considering that it followed a similar format to popular science books (such as 'why don't penguins feet freeze?' and 'does anything eat wasps?'), I was a little disappointed at the title, but on the whole it was as enjoyable as its scientific counterparts.
Received from NetGallery in return for an honest review.
An engaging book that it is easy to dip in and out of. As the chapters progress, the reader not only gets a better understanding of classical music, but Cutietta seems to fall into the flow more, adding a more light-hearted touch with elements of humour. Considering that it followed a similar format to popular science books (such as 'why don't penguins feet freeze?' and 'does anything eat wasps?'), I was a little disappointed at the title, but on the whole it was as enjoyable as its scientific counterparts.
Received from NetGallery in return for an honest review.
October 31, 2016
This very informative book is an ideal Christmas gift for anyone involved or interested in classical music and wants to find out more about the history and background of this enduring music genre.
Highly recommended.
I was given a digital copy of this book by The Oxford University Press via Netgalley in return for an honest unbiased review.
Highly recommended.
I was given a digital copy of this book by The Oxford University Press via Netgalley in return for an honest unbiased review.
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May 9, 2018This book is an "everything you need to know but are afraid to ask" volume pertaining to classical music. Robert Cutietta has done a terrific job describing in an accessible and entertaining way all the many idiosyncrasies and quirky traditions surrounding the world of classical music performers and performances. He explores through a friendly question and answer format everything from who's in charge in an ensemble to how string players decide how to synchronize their bow directions. This is a perfect book for classical music newbies, but also has enough interest for long time listeners and musicians. Thanks to Netgalley for making this available.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews