The History of Classical Music cover art

The History of Classical Music

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The History of Classical Music

By: Richard Fawkes
Narrated by: Robert Powell
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About this listen

From Gregorian Chant to Henryk Gorecki, the first living classical composer to get into the pop album charts, here is the fascinating story of over a thousand years of Western classical music and the composers who have sought to express in music the deepest of human feelings and emotions. Polyphony, sonata form, serial music - many musical expressions are also explained - with the text illustrated by performances from some of the most highly praised recordings of recent years.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.

©1997 NAXOS AudioBooks Ltd. (P)1997 NAXOS AudioBooks Ltd. History & Criticism Music Classics

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All stars
Most relevant  
This is a very informative audio book that takes you through the history of music . It is well presented by the actor Robert Powell whose' rich voice does the subject justice. A very interesting and absorbing way of taking in information!

Very pleasant way to read a book !

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The book is rushed and superficial, more like a brief introduction to the history of Western classical music. The narrator is excellent though and the production is top notch — with the abundance of relevant musical examples.

Great narrator, poor text.

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Loved all the little clips of music throughout the audiobook. Excellent introduction into classical music. Highly recommended.

Fantastic audiobook

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This is a short but well constructed introduction to western classical music, starting with its origins as sacred chanting. There are helpful excerpts of music throughout the audiobook, not too long but enough to aurally illustrate the authors text. Very well read by Robert Powell. One would expect no less.

Good introduction to world of western muisc - sacred and classical

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This is a great concept for an audio-book. Giving examples of the actual classic music to explain the text is how educational works should be. Comprehensive trot through a whole lifetime of Classics. You wont be sorry for the education you get.

Great concept

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Initially I thought this production was 50 hours, no 5! Could have listened to it for days

Concise and clear

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It is helpful for me at this stage. The book provides a big picture with details. I enjoy the narrator’s performance and the music excerpts. There are bits here and there that I don’t follow but they are the reason to learn more about such a fascinating topic.

I like it

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Rather too academic in style but without any great depth of insight to justify the dry presentation. No narrative to hold it all together and it skipped around without any explanation of why. I found it hard work without any real reward.

Terrible

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