Language of the spirit : an introduction to classical music

For many of us, classical music is all too serious--something we study in school or hear played by cultivated musicians at fancy gatherings. In Language of the Spirit, renowned music scholar Jan Swafford reveals the truth: over the centuries classical music has been myriad things, and within that rich history is something for everybody. Discussing music ranging from Gregorian chant to Handel's Messiah, from Vivaldi's The Four Seasons to the minimalist work of Philip Glass, Swafford is an affable and expert guide to the genre. He traces the history of Western music, introduces readers to the most important composers and compositions, and explains the underlying structure and logic of the music. Along the way he shares surprising stories about our most beloved pieces. For example, did you know that Beethoven's Fifth Symphony, today one of the most admired classical symphonies, was at first taken by some as a joke because the entire opening movement is based around its first four notes? And we are introduced to new favorites, such as the heartrending final chorus of Carissimi's oratorio Jephte and Monteverdi's windswept madrigal Zefiro torna. Swafford thoughtfully examines the universal qualities in music love, hope, exaltation, despair--and encourages us to see our own lives and feelings reflected in the magnificent sounds of artists such as Mozart, Brahms, Debussy, and Stravinsky. Language of the Spirit is essential reading for anyone who wants know more about this sublime art [Publisher description]. Read more... For Many Of Us, Classical Music Is Something Serious-something We Study In School, Something Played By Cultivated Musicians At Fancy Gatherings. In Language Of The Spirit, Renowned Music Scholar Jan Swafford Argues That We Have It All Wrong: Classical Music Has Something For Everyone And Is Accessible To All. Ranging From Gregorian Chant To Handel's Messiah, From Vivaldi's The Four Seasons To The Postmodern Work Of Philip Glass, Swafford Is An Affable And Expert Guide To The Genre. He Traces The History Of Western Music, Introduces Readers To The Most Important Composers And Compositions, And Explains The Underlying Structure And Logic Of Their Music. Language Of The Spirit Is Essential Reading For Anyone Who Has Ever Wished To Know More About This Sublime Art. Music From The Beginning. Through The Middle Ages (up To 1400) ; The Renaissance (ca. 1400-1600) -- Baroque. The Baroque Period (ca. 1600-1750) ; Claudio Monteverdi (1567-1643) ; Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) ; George Frideric Handel (1685-1759) ; Further Baroque Listening -- Classical. The Classical Period (ca. 1750-1830) ; Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) ; Wolfgang Amadé Mozart (1756-1791) ; Ludwig Van Beethoven (1770-1827) -- Romantic. The Romantic Period (ca. 1830-1900) ; Franz Schubert (1797-1828) ; Hector Berlioz (1803-1869) ; Robert Schumann (1810-1856) ; Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849) ; Richard Wagner (1813-1883) ; Franz Liszt (1811-1886) ; Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) ; Pyotr Ilich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893) ; Antonín Dvořák (1841-1904) ; Gustav Mahler (1860-1911) ; Further Romantic Listening -- Modernism And Beyond. The 20th And 21st Centuries (ca. 1900-present) ; Claude Debussy (1862-1918) ; Richard Strauss (1864-1949) ; Maurice Ravel (1875-1937) ; Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971) ; Arnold Schoenberg (1874-1951) ; Charles Ives (1874-1954) ; Béla Bartók (1881-1945) ; Dmitry Shostakovich (1906-1975) ; Benjamin Britten (1913-1976) ; Aaron Copland (1900-1990) ; György Ligeti (1923-2006) ; Further Modernist Listening. Jan Swafford. Includes Bibliographical References (page 304-305) And Index. A preeminent composer, music scholar, and biographer presents an engaging and accessible introduction to classical music For many of us, classical music is something serious — something we study in school, something played by cultivated musicians at fancy gatherings. In Language of the Spirit , renowned music scholar Jan Swafford argues that we have it all wrong: classical music has something for everyone and is accessible to all. Ranging from Gregorian chant to Handel's Messiah , from Vivaldi's The Four Seasons to the postmodern work of Philip Glass, Swafford is an affable and expert guide to the genre. He traces the history of Western music, introduces readers to the most important composers and compositions, and explains the underlying structure and logic of their music. Language of the Spirit is essential reading for anyone who has ever wished to know more about this sublime art. "For many of us, classical music is something serious--something we study in school, something played by cultivated musicians at fancy gatherings. In Language of the Spirit, renowned music scholar Jan Swafford argues that we have it all wrong: classical music has something for everyone and is accessible to all. Ranging from Gregorian chant to Handel's Messiah, from Vivaldi's The Four Seasons to the postmodern work of Philip Glass, Swafford is an affable and expert guide to the genre. He traces the history of Western music, introduces readers to the most important composers and compositions, and explains the underlying structure and logic of their music. Language of the Spirit is essential reading for anyone who has ever wished to know more about this sublime art."--Rabat de la jaquette