The Smart Guide to Classical Music

If you like classical music but don't quite know why, this book is for you. And if you love classical music but are afraid to admit it because you really don't understand what it's all about, this book is also for you. If you think you hate classical music because you've never been to a concert, guess what? This book is for you as well. Forget the highfalutin language, and the litany of boring facts contained in so many music textbooks: Here you'll find practical, down-to-earth information in plain English. Let others issue proclamations from their ivory towers; we're sitting in the balcony, or home by the hi-fi, basking in the music that has given us such deep satisfaction and pleasure over the years. We want to share some of that joy with you, and unravel some of the mysteries of music in the simplest possible way. We also want to let you in on some of the fun facts of music. After all, the greatest composers and performers were people too, with hilarious faults and sometimes unbelievable foibles.