For many of us, classical music is all too serious--something we study in school or hear played by cultivated musicians at fancy gatherings. In Language of the Spirit, renowned music scholar Jan Swafford reveals the truth: over the centuries classical music has been myriad things, and within that rich history is something for everybody. Discussing music ranging from Gregorian chant to Handel's Messiah, from Vivaldi's The Four Seasons to the minimalist work of Philip Glass, Swafford is an affable and expert guide to the genre. He traces the history of Western music, introduces readers to the most important composers and compositions, and explains the underlying structure and logic of the music. Along the way he shares surprising stories about our most beloved pieces. For example, did you know that Beethoven's Fifth Symphony, today one of the most admired classical symphonies, was at first taken by some as a joke because the entire opening movement is based around its first four notes? And we are introduced to new favorites, such as the heartrending final chorus of Carissimi's oratorio Jephte and Monteverdi's windswept madrigal Zefiro torna. Swafford thoughtfully examines the universal qualities in music love, hope, exaltation, despair--and encourages us to see our own lives and feelings reflected in the magnificent sounds of artists such as Mozart, Brahms, Debussy, and Stravinsky. Language of the Spirit is essential reading for anyone who wants know more about this sublime art [Publisher description]. Read more...
