Pogue David - Classical Music for Dummies

Classical Music For Dummies, Second Edition

Published by: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774, www.wiley.com

Copyright 2015 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey

Published simultaneously in Canada

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Library of Congress Control Number: 2015940310

ISBN 978-1-119-04975-3 (pbk); ISBN 978-1-119-04974-6 (ebk); ISBN 978-1-119-04972-2 (ebk)

1. Table of Contents

By opening this book, youve taken a flying leap into the frightening, mysterious, larger-than-life universe of classical music, where 100 people dressed like 18th-century waiters fill the stage, doing some very strange things to hunks of metal and wood, filling the air with strange and exotic sounds.

We can sense the hair beginning to rise on the back of your neck already. But dont be afraid; whether you know it or not, youve experienced classical music all your life in movies and video games, on TV, on the radio, and in elevators everywhere. Were willing to wager that you already know more than you need to get started.

We know that youre a highly intelligent person. After all, you managed to select this book from among a whole shelf (or website) of highly qualified music books.

But in this vast, complex, information-overload society, youre expected to be fully conversant with 1,006,932,408.7 different subjects. (The .7 is for square dancing, which doesnt quite qualify as a complete subject.) So its only natural that even the greatest genius doesnt know everything. It happens that you, O Reader, are still in the incipient stages of Classical Music Geniusdom.

Thats why we use the words For Dummies with a twinkle in our eye. Truth be told, this book is for intelligent people who want to discover more about a new subject. And for us, its a chance to share with you what we love.

If youve never touched an instrument or sung a song, Classical Music For Dummies, Second Edition can give you the basic understanding you need. If you want an easy-to-read reference when you hear a recording or attend a concert, this book provides it. If you want to get a thorough grounding in the subject, the book allows for that too. Even if youre already very well versed in classical music (and a surprising number of our readers are), you can discover something in each chapter to enhance your delight even further. This book is meant to meet you wherever you are and bring you to a new level. Weve even been thrilled to discover that many teachers have used our book as a text in classes about music history, theory, composition, orchestration, or appreciation. Well, sure, that works too!

We, your trusty authors, have made some mighty foolish assumptions about you.

• You have a healthy and active pulse.
• This pulse sometimes races when you hear a surging phrase of classical music, whether on a recording, in a movie or show, in a video, or in a TV commercial.
• You have a sneaking suspicion that a little more understanding of the music that makes your pulse race might add immeasurable joy and fulfillment to your life.
• Youd love to enhance that understanding with one lighthearted, breezy, easy-to-read resource.

If were right about any of these things (and were hardly every wrong), then this book is for you. It will deepen your understanding of music, make you comfortable discussing it, and help you understand its form. And although this book isnt a suitable alternative to a graduate degree in music, its much more fun and costs about $90,000 less.

Believe it or not, you have a great advantage over many of the worlds classical music fanatics. You enter this amazing artistic realm unencumbered by preconditioning or music prejudice. You enter the concert hall with an open mind, a clean slate, and an empty canvas upon which the great composers can paint their emotional landscapes.

This situation is what many music aficionados often forget: In classical music, the intellect should take a back seat to emotion. More than many other arts, classical music is meant to appeal directly to the senses. In this book, we show you how to activate those senses and unlock your capacity to experience one of lifes greatest highs.

Throughout the book, icons clue you in about certain topics. They indicate material in which you may be especially interested, or material you may be eager to skip. Let them be your guide.

This icon clues you in on a handy shortcut, technique, or suggestion that can help you get more out of your classical music life.