Post by Owen Y on Jul 23, 2018 16:01:31 GMT 12
I'm not as familiar with The Rough Guide to Classical Music, but these publications (around 600pgs) are A-Z composer guides similar to The Penguin Guide.
However (differing from the Penguin), each composer has been given a short biography, followed by a short commentary on his(her?) music. For each composer, there are only one or two recordings (CDs) recommended by the authors, many of which are not the most well known.
Also interspersed throughout the book are 'boxes' covering various classical music-related topics.
So in these ways, The Rough Guide differs from the Penguin Guides & presents more of a 'readable' volume.
I haven't yet formed an opinion on The Rough Guide authors' tastes & preferences, but the additional reading material within is nice.
Again, cheap (eg $10) at s/h bookstores.
However (differing from the Penguin), each composer has been given a short biography, followed by a short commentary on his(her?) music. For each composer, there are only one or two recordings (CDs) recommended by the authors, many of which are not the most well known.
Also interspersed throughout the book are 'boxes' covering various classical music-related topics.
So in these ways, The Rough Guide differs from the Penguin Guides & presents more of a 'readable' volume.
I haven't yet formed an opinion on The Rough Guide authors' tastes & preferences, but the additional reading material within is nice.
Again, cheap (eg $10) at s/h bookstores.
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