Classical music historians are typically thought of as stodgy old people who can't smile and don't know what "fun" is. R.J. Stove obliterates such stereotypes with his engaging wit and clear style, while simultaneously offering a sweeping first look at the chronology of great Western music and its most prominent composers.
Not every composer he mentions is a household name, however. Sure, Beethoven and Mozart get their space, but so too do important individuals like Hildegard of Bingen and Cesar Franck. Stove loves talking about his subject, and the exuberance is catching, whether readers know anything about Classical music already or are encountering its fascinating story here for the first time.
For those who are completely unfamiliar with the topic, A Student's Guide to Music History is the perfect place to start. Stove presupposes no knowledge on the reader's part, but also doesn't condescend by too-rudimentary a treatment. You won't know everything there is to know by the end of this little book, but you'll have a solid foundation for further study, and probably the excitement and curiosity needed to pursue such study.
Review by C. Hollis Crossman
C. Hollis Crossman used to be a child. Now he's a husband and father who loves church, good food, and weird stuff. He might be a mythical creature, but he's definitely not a centaur. Read more of his reviews
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