The NPR Listener's Encyclopedia of Classical Music

by Theodore Libbey

A complete education in classical music, written with verve and wit. No music lover can pick up this one-volume compendium without becoming a more knowledgeable, discerning listener. • The sonata form revealed, and why it's been deeply satisfying for three centuries. • What to listen for in Brahms, a self-described Classicist who was one of music's great innovators . • Pizzicato, fioritura, parlando, glissando. • The transformative power of Toscanini– who earned more conducting the New York Philharmonic than his contemporary Babe Ruth made with the Yankees. • And throughout, more than 2,000 recommended recordings.

Log on and listen. Created with Naxos, the world's largest classical music label, the book includes a unique Web site featuring more than 500 examples cited in the text. Look up barcarolle. First read about its swaying 6/8 meter and Venetian origins; then log on to the music Web site and hear it performed in Act IV of Offenbach's Les contes d'Hoffmann. If that whets your curiosity about Offenbach, click to hear the cancan in his La vie parisienne. All online samples are marked by an icon in the text.

Genres: Music, Reference, Nonfiction, Classical Music, Art

979 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2006

Reviews

[Mar]

This book is handy if you want to learn about classical music from a print copy. Most information is now available on-line. The appeal for me is the link to 525 selections of music--a variety of composers and styles which help with understanding the music.

[Jeffrey (Akiva) Savett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read this thing cover to cover like 10 times. Don't know where'd I'd be in my classical music knowledge without it. Great reference.

[William Schram · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love classical music, but I feel that my knowledge is a bit limited. I have heard of the main big shots like Mozart, Beethoven, J S Bach, Brahms, but I really feel that there must be more out there that I can appreciate. If I was to really think, I could also remember some composers such as Tchaikovsky, Stravinsky, and others but off the top of my head, I am sorely lacking. The problem that I see is that it is difficult to cultivate an interest in other composers. They aren’t as visible or well-known and it isn’t good for Classical Music as a whole.

Thankfully, that is where the NPR Listener’s Encyclopedia of Classical Music comes in. While reading the book is like reading an encyclopedia, you can always look up people and ideas of interest. It is not easy to read cover to cover. This is the sort of book where you go and look up entries that entice you. For example, I was flipping through the pages and found the entry on Chopin. It mentions that he was a fantastic and creative pianist. This led me to remember Liszt, so I was curious about his entry. The entire book can be read in either manner.

The great thing about this book is that it has a set of links to music recordings to demonstrate the entry in the book. I don’t know if the links still work, but I assume that one can look up the songs anyway. Ted Libbey has done a wonderful job of compiling all of this relevant information into one volume. The book contains information on different styles, composers, performers, and instruments. The last type of entry focuses on famous pieces; these are mainly pieces that were given names. For example, The Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven has a listing, as does Appalachian Spring and many more.

I feel that this book is a very good reference. I don’t really have an issue with the book as it is; Classical Music is already classical. It isn’t really going anywhere. I suppose more people could become great performers or composers, but I don’t really see that happening. The book doesn’t have Hans Zimmer, but it does have John Towner Williams, the man that composed most of Spielberg’s films. I don’t really know many more modern composers though.

[Giles Revelstoke · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is an interesting compendium of "popular" classical music and musicians. It is extremely helpful in the suggested recordings. A very good general knowledge book (and easier to read than The New Groves Dictionary of Music and Musicians -- although I would never give that collection up).

[Will Bellais · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is what it is, and it is a wonderful is. Have a thought about music or a question about Mozart? Then, here is the answer. It's an important addition to my library.

[James Madsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not only is this from NPR (!), but it also provides a password to a Naxos-powered website with 600 samples!

[Lee Kuper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful reference!