The Best Classical Music Books
Contents
In this blog post, we’ll be taking a look at the best classical music books that are currently available on the market.
The Best Classical Music Books
Listening to classical music can be a relaxing and enjoyable experience. If you’re new to classical music, you may want to consider reading one of the following books. These books will introduce you to the world of classical music and help you appreciate it more.
The Best Orchestral Scores
There are a number of different ways to approach the world of classical music, but one of the most rewarding is to sit down and study an orchestral score. Here are five of the best orchestral scores that any serious classical music lover should consider adding to their collection.
1. Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9: This immortal work needs no introduction, and this Eulenburg edition is widely considered to be one of the best available. The score includes detailed annotations and a helpful introduction that puts the work in its historical context.
2. Brahms’ Symphony No. 4: Another essential piece for any classical music lover’s collection, this Eulenburg edition is again highly recommended for its excellent annotations and helpful introduction.
3. Dvorak’s New World Symphony: One of the most popular symphonies of all time, Dvorak’s New World Symphony is a must-have for any fan of classical music. This particular edition from Dover Publications features a newly edited and revised score, making it an ideal choice for those looking for an accurate yet affordable option.
4. Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake: A beloved ballet that has been enchanting audiences for generations, Swan Lake is a must-hear for any fan of Tchaikovsky’s music. This Dover Publications edition features the complete score and parts for all four acts, making it an essential addition to any serious musician’s library.
5. Wagner’s Ring Cycle: Wagner’s Ring Cycle is one of the most ambitious works in all of classical music, and this Eulenburg edition provides everything you need to follow along with this monumental work. The score includes detailed annotations as well as a helpful introduction that puts the work in its historical context.
The Best Opera Scores
The term “opera” can be used to describe a wide variety of musical works, ranging from chamber operas to grandiose, multi-act extravaganzas. While the word itself is derived from the Italian word for “work,” opera has been a part of the Western musical tradition for centuries. In fact, some of the most popular operas were written in the 18th and 19th centuries by such renowned composers as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Giuseppe Verdi.
If you’re new to opera, or simply looking to expand your understanding of this rich and varied genre, there are plenty of great books out there to help you get started. Here are just a few of our favorites.
The Art of Opera: From Monteverdi to Berg by Piero Weiss
This comprehensive guide to opera covers everything from early works by Monteverdi to 20th-century masterpieces by Alban Berg.Weiss provides insightful commentary on each work, highlighting their key features and putting them in context within the broader history of opera.
The Cambridge Companion to Opera Studies edited by Nicholas Till
This collection of essays explores a wide range of topics relating to opera, including its history, theory, and criticism. With contributions from leading scholars in the field, it’s an essential resource for anyone wanting to learn more about this complex and fascinating genre.
Opera: A History in Pictures edited by Gianni Vattimo and Federico Zeri
This lavishly illustrated book offers a visually stunning overview of opera, tracing its evolution from its earliest beginnings up to the present day. With over 300 illustrations, it’s an indispensable guide for anyone interested in this rich and visually arresting art form.
The Best Chamber Music Scores
There are many ways to approach the study and performance of chamber music. We have compiled a list of the best chamber music scores, considering both usefulness and level of difficulty.
The simplest approach is to use a standard score, in which all the parts are written out in full. This is often the most convenient option for beginners, as it eliminates the need for sight-reading. However, it is also worth considering one or more of the following advanced scores:
-Viola part books: These omit the violin parts, which are usually simpler than the viola parts. This can make it easier to focus on your own part, and also has the added benefit of making the music sound more like an orchestra rather than a string quartet.
-Piano-vocal scores: These include both the solo vocal lines and the accompaniment, making them ideal for practice and performance. They can be especially helpful when learning new repertoire, as they provide a clear overview of the entire work.
-Urtext editions: These are based on the composer’s original manuscript, rather than on any subsequent revisions. They are generally considered to be more accurate than other editions, and are therefore preferred by many professional musicians.
Whatever type of score you choose, make sure to get a copy that includes all the parts you need – otherwise you may find yourself having to purchase multiple copies!
The Best Books on Classical Music History
Classical music history is a fascinating subject. There are so many different composers, pieces, and periods to explore. And, while there are many excellent history books out there, these are our picks for the best of the best.
The Best Books on the History of Western Music
There are a number of different ways to approach the history of classical music. You can focus on the music of a particular composer or period, or you can take a more general approach and explore the history of Western music as a whole. Whichever route you decide to take, there are a number of great books that can give you a better understanding of the classical music tradition.
One of the most comprehensive overviews of classical music history is “The Oxford History of Western Music” by Richard Taruskin. This massive five-volume work covers everything from the early days of Gregorian chant to the modern era, and it includes in-depth discussions of all the major composers and genres. If you’re looking for a more concise introduction, “Music: A Very Short Introduction” by Nicholas Cook is a good place to start.
For those interested in learning more about specific composers and periods, there are a number of excellent biographies and histories available. For instance, “Beethoven: The Man Revealed” by John Suchet offers an intimate look at the life of one of history’s most important composers, while “The Renaissance: A Very Short Introduction” by Paul Johnson provides an overview of one of the most pivotal periods in Western music history.
Whether you’re just getting started or you’re already well acquainted with the classics, these books will give you a better understanding of the rich tradition that is classical music.
The Best Books on the History of Eastern Music
1. A Social History of Chinese Music by Robert Endres
2. The Music of Central Asia by Theodore Levin
3. ‘The Garland Encyclopedia of World Music’ By Ruth M. Stone
4. ‘Music in the Arab World: The Art of Tarab’ by Laudan Nooshin
5. A History of Indian Music by Edward Whittaker
The Best Books on the History of Music Theory
Most people who are interested in classical music have a passing acquaintance with the basic history of the art form. But for those who want to explore the subject in greater depth, there are a number of excellent books on the history of classical music.
One of the best is The Classical Style by Charles Rosen. Rosen, a pianist and musicologist, charts the development of classical music from the Baroque era to the early Romantic period. He covers all the major composers and works, and provides insightful commentary on the music itself.
Another excellent book is The Lives of the Great Composers by Harold C. Schonberg. This massive work covers more than 500 composers, from Bach and Handel to Mahler and Stravinsky. Schonberg was himself a classical musician, and his passion for his subject is evident on every page.
For those interested in a more general history of music, Simon Frith’s Music for Pleasure is an accessible and entertaining overview. Frith covers everything from ancient folk tunes to contemporary pop hits, with plenty of detours along the way. It’s a perfect book for anyone who wants to learn more about where music comes from – and where it might be going next.
The Best Biographies of Classical Musicians
If you want to learn more about classical music, you should consider reading one of these biographies. They will introduce you to the world of classical music and the people who created it. You will learn about their lives, their music, and their influence on the world.
The Best Biographies of Western Musicians
Musicians have always been popular biographical subjects. Here are some of the best biographies of classical musicians, including books about composers, conductors, and performers.
One of the most popular classical music biographies is “Mozart: A Life” by Maynard Solomon. This book provides a detailed account of Mozart’s life, work, and times. Another well-known biography is “Beethoven: The Universal Composer” by Edmund Morris. This book chronicles Beethoven’s entire life, from his humble beginnings to his eventual success as one of the most famous composers in history.
One of the most controversial classical music biographies is “Sergei Rachmaninoff: A Lifetime in Music” by Victor Seroff. This book caused a stir when it was first published because it included many personal details about Rachmaninoff’s life that were not previously known. However, the book is still considered to be one of the best biographies of a classical musician.
If you are interested in reading about the lives of several different classical musicians, you may want to check out “The Lives of the Great Composers” by Harold C. Schonberg. This book features biographies of more than 100 different composers, from Bach to Stravinsky.
The Best Biographies of Eastern Musicians
Many of the most famous classical musicians in history were from Western cultures, but there is a long tradition of exceptional Eastern musicians as well. This list features the best biographies of classical musicians from Eastern cultures.
1. Jin Ping Mei: The Plum in the Golden Vase, by Zhao Ben
2. The Life and Times of Chang’an, by Li Bai
3. Dreams of Joy, by Lisa See
4. Memoirs of a Geisha, by Arthur Golden
5. Shanghai Girls, by Lisa See
6. Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, by Lisa See
7. Peony in Love, by Lisa See
8. The Concubine’s Daughter, by Pai Kit Fai
The Best Biographies of Music Composers
The best biographies of classical musicians are based on extensive research and provide insight into the lives of these fascinating people. While there are many excellent books about individual composers, these five stand out for their comprehensiveness and ability to capture the essence of their subjects.
1. Mozart: A Life by Maynard Solomon
2. Beethoven: The Universal Composer by Edmund Morris
3. Brahms: Biography, Letters, and Documents by Jan Swafford
4. Tchaikovsky: The Man and His Music by Anthony Holden
5. Wagner: The Man, His Mind, and His Music by Edgar Werger
The Best Books on Classical Music Appreciation
Classical music is often seen as an intellectual pursuit, something only to be understood by music experts. However, there are many ways to enjoy and appreciate classical music, whether you are a fan of the genre or not. In this article, we will recommend the best books on classical music appreciation for both experts and beginners.
The Best Books on the Appreciation of Western Music
If you want to learn about Western music, these are the best books on the subject. This list includes a mix of books that focus on the history of music, as well as books that focus on the appreciation of music.
1. “The Cambridge History of Western Music” by Simonetta Puccini
2. “Music in the Western World” by Gerald Abraham
3. “A History of Western Music” by J. Peter Burkholder
4. “The Concise Oxford History of Music” by Gerald Abraham
5. “The Norton Introduction to Music History” by Jürgen Thym
6. “How to Listen to and Understand Great Music” by Robert Greenberg
The Best Books on the Appreciation of Eastern Music
There are many different ways to approach the appreciation of music, but for the purposes of this list, we have chosen books that take an historical approach to the subject, tracing the origins and development of various musical traditions from around the world.
1. A History of EasternMusic: From Arabian Nights to the Present Day by Gino Franchi – This book traces the history of music in the Arab world, starting with the folk music tradition and moving on to discuss the development of classical and popular music.
2. The Golden Age of Arab Music: TheNahda by Bradley Winterton – This book focuses on what is known as the “golden age” of Arab music, which lasted from roughly 1850 to 1950. It features a collection of essays by leading experts on Arab music history and culture.
3. The Routledge History of Music in China by Justin Tinsley – This book offers a comprehensive overview of Chinese music history, starting with ancient traditions and moving through to contemporary pop music.
4. Gamelan: Sacred and Secular Music in Java by Daniel Stearns – This book explores the gamelan tradition of Java, Indonesia, discussing both its sacred and secular aspects.
5. A Flute in Jaffa: Peter Warlock’s Musical Journey Through Palestine by Susanne Shalom – This book follows English composer Peter Warlock as he travels through Palestine in 1925, learning about local musical traditions and composing new works inspired by what he hears.
The Best Books on the Appreciation of Music Theory
Here are our picks for the best books on the appreciation of music theory. If you’re looking to learn more about music theory, these books will give you a good foundation.
1. The Enjoyment of Music: An Introduction to Perceptive Listening by Kristine Forney and Joseph Machlis
2. Music: An Appreciation by Roger Kamien
3. The Musician’s Way: A Guide to Practice, Performance, and Wellness by Gerald Klickstein
4. Zen and the Art of Music Appreciation by Daniel J. Levitin
5. How to Listen to Jazz by Ted Gioia
