Backroads of Colorado Book

I love classical music, but I feel that my knowledge is a bit limited. I have heard of the main big shots like Mozart, Beethoven, J S Bach, Brahms, but I really feel that there must be more out there that I can appreciate. If I was to really think, I could also remember some composers such as Tchaikovsky, Stravinsky, and others but off the top of my head, I am sorely lacking. The problem that I see is that it is difficult to cultivate an interest in other composers. They aren't as visible or well-known and it isn't good for Classical Music as a whole.

Thankfully, that is where the NPR Listener's Encyclopedia of Classical Music comes in. While reading the book is like reading an encyclopedia, you can always look up people and ideas of interest. It is not easy to read cover to cover. This is the sort of book where you go and look up entries that entice you. For example, I was flipping through the pages and found the entry on Chopin. It mentions that he was a fantastic and creative pianist. This led me to remember Liszt, so I was curious about his entry. The entire book can be read in either manner.

The great thing about this book is that it has a set of links to music recordings to demonstrate the entry in the book. I don't know if the links still work, but I assume that one can look up the songs anyway. Ted Libbey has done a wonderful job of compiling all of this relevant information into one volume. The book contains information on different styles, composers, performers, and instruments. The last type of entry focuses on famous pieces; these are mainly pieces that were given names. For example, The Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven has a listing, as does Appalachian Spring and many more.

I feel that this book is a very good reference. I don't really have an issue with the book as it is; Classical Music is already classical. It isn't really going anywhere. I suppose more people could become great performers or composers, but I don't really see that happening. The book doesn't have Hans Zimmer, but it does have John Towner Williams, the man that composed most of Spielberg's films. I don't really know many more modern composers though.