Re: Music (Classical Sources Message Board)

Re: Music
Author: LaJuana	August 1, 1999 at 22:40:53
in reply to: Music* posted by Jane on July 29, 1999 at 11:43:48*

Jane,

I use a great book called Basic Library of the World's
Greatest

Music by Lee Lambert. (ISBN 0962163007) I believe it is still

available through Lifetime Book and Gifts or through Mr.
Lambert at

P.O. Box 25212, Ft. Lauderdale, FL33320. A set of cassette tapes can

also be purchased to go with the book, although I have
never purchased

it. I have preferred to collect the pieces little by little with

other works by the composers we have studied.

The book begins with a description of the differences in
musical periods. It then introduces the great composers and
includes one or two pieces of

written by the composer, giving detailed notes for listening. Activities
for children are provided as are suggested questions for discussion.

Throughout the book there are also notes that help to
instruct the

reader about the form of the music. To illustrate, here is an excerpt

from the opening chapter on Vivaldi, with a focus on his
Concerto in C for Two Trumpets and Orchestra:

"The concerto form came into

existence when early Italian composers discovered that they
could make their music more effective by dividing the
available instruments into

two groups. Since any group of instruments was known as a "concerto"

in Italian, the larger ensemble was given the name
"concerto grosso". The smaller and more select group,
usually consisting of the better

players, became known as the small concerto, or "concertino". Before

long the term concerto grosso came to stand for all works
employing these two complementary forces."

"The concerti grossi of the Italian Baroque
composers--Antonio Vivaldi and Arcangelo Corelli, among
others--usually included a concertino of two violins and a
cello, or some other simple combination of soloists.
Vivaldi's Concerto in C for Two Trumpets and Orchestra is a

particularly brilliant example of the type. [In later centuries,

emphasis shifted, and a single soloist emerged as the
"hero" of the

concerto. Pitting a single piano or violin against full orchestra,

the romantic, emotion-packed concertos of the nineteenth
and twentieth centuries are a far cry from these early
beginnings.]"

"Playing in unison at first, Vivaldi's two shining trumpets
introduce

his first movement with stately fanfares. The combined strings of the

concerto grosso answer them, and the Allegro continues with
a fascinating exchange between the virtuoso brasses and the
delicate

strings. The second movement, a Largo, is nothing more than a brief

change of scene in which the trumpets can catch their
breath before returning with the airy melody of the final
Allegro."

There is a WEALTH of information about composers and music
in this

book! I hope you are able to take a look at it and that you find it

useful.

> Does anyone know of a book or other resource that provides
> a good
>
> list of great works of music that everyone should know? I'd like
>
> start introducing my daughter to great music, and we have
> plenty of it around, but I'd like some sort of list to use
> as a core.
>
> Something similar for art would be helpful, too.

Follow Ups

Thanks so much, LaJuana! Jane 17:53:29 8/7/1999 (0)

Post Followup

Name:
E-Mail:
Subject:
> Jane, > > I use a great book called Basic Library of the World's > Greatest > > Music by Lee Lambert. (ISBN 0962163007) I believe it is still > > available through Lifetime Book and Gifts or through Mr. > Lambert at > > P.O. Box 25212, Ft. Lauderdale, FL33320. A set of cassette tapes can > > also be purchased to go with the book, although I have > never purchased > > it. I have preferred to collect the pieces little by little with > > other works by the composers we have studied. > > The book begins with a description of the differences in > musical periods. It then introduces the great composers and > includes one or two pieces of > > written by the composer, giving detailed notes for listening. Activities > for children are provided as are suggested questions for discussion. > > Throughout the book there are also notes that help to > instruct the > > reader about the form of the music. To illustrate, here is an excerpt > > from the opening chapter on Vivaldi, with a focus on his > Concerto in C for Two Trumpets and Orchestra: > > "The concerto form came into > > existence when early Italian composers discovered that they > could make their music more effective by dividing the > available instruments into > > two groups. Since any group of instruments was known as a "concerto" > > in Italian, the larger ensemble was given the name > "concerto grosso". The smaller and more select group, > usually consisting of the better > > players, became known as the small concerto, or "concertino". Before > > long the term concerto grosso came to stand for all works > employing these two complementary forces." > > "The concerti grossi of the Italian Baroque > composers--Antonio Vivaldi and Arcangelo Corelli, among > others--usually included a concertino of two violins and a > cello, or some other simple combination of soloists. > Vivaldi's Concerto in C for Two Trumpets and Orchestra is a > > particularly brilliant example of the type. [In later centuries, > > emphasis shifted, and a single soloist emerged as the > "hero" of the > > concerto. Pitting a single piano or violin against full orchestra, > > the romantic, emotion-packed concertos of the nineteenth > and twentieth centuries are a far cry from these early > beginnings.]" > > "Playing in unison at first, Vivaldi's two shining trumpets > introduce > > his first movement with stately fanfares. The combined strings of the > > concerto grosso answer them, and the Allegro continues with > a fascinating exchange between the virtuoso brasses and the > delicate > > strings. The second movement, a Largo, is nothing more than a brief > > change of scene in which the trumpets can catch their > breath before returning with the airy melody of the final > Allegro." > > There is a WEALTH of information about composers and music > in this > > book! I hope you are able to take a look at it and that you find it > > useful. > > > Does anyone know of a book or other resource that provides > > a good > > > > list of great works of music that everyone should know? I'd like > > > > start introducing my daughter to great music, and we have > > plenty of it around, but I'd like some sort of list to use > > as a core. > > > > Something similar for art would be helpful, too.
Optional link URL:
Link title:
Optional image URL: