A Young Person's Guide to Music

Features

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Cover Type: Hard Cover with 80 pages
• Published by: DK CHILDREN; Har/Com edition October 4, 2004
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 0756605407
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-0756605407
• Book Dimensions: 11.4 x 9.1 x 0.4 inches
• Weighs: 1.4 pounds

From School Library Journal
Grade 4-9?This relatively unique interactive guide to the orchestra is a combination of book and compact disk. The CD features a new work by the Dutch composer Poul Ruders called Concerto in Pieces, a variation on the "The Witch's Chorus" from Henry Purcell's Dido and Aeneas. The lively piece is first performed in its entirety, and then taken apart instrument by instrument. Symbols in the text show readers when to turn on the CD player and hear the particular instrument shown on that page; there is a helpful musical index to the CD, as well. The text itself has facts on the orchestra as a whole, the conductor, composer, and each instrument. General information on how each group of instruments works, be it brass or strings, is provided. The full-color photographs and reproductions are of high quality. A history section features a timeline, names of musicians and composers, definitions of musical forms with examples, and a glossary. Overall, this is an attractive addition. However, there might be a problem determining where to place it within the library, and it will not be as useful if the CD becomes separated from the book.?Robin Works Davis, Hurst Public Library, TX
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist
Gr. 5^-8. With a broad theme of classical music and a specific focus on one performance that can be heard on the accompanying compact disc, this book offers music students a range of options. The book's first part, "Making Music," briefly discusses each instrument and places it within its family (stringed, woodwind, brass instruments, etc.). Clear photographs show musicians playing the instruments, and diagrams show how the sounds are created. Readers are directed to play a track on the enclosed CD to hear each instrument played. The second part of the book surveys the history of classical music, which is divided into periods such as ancient, baroque, and modern. Small photographs or artworks accompany short descriptions of significant musical events. The music on the compact disc, which fits into the cover of this large-format book, is Poul Ruders' Concerto in Pieces, composed with ten variations on a theme from Purcell, each highlighting a different section of the orchestra. BBC Orchestra conductor Andrew Davis then discusses the work, illustrating ideas with excerpts from the piece. A rich resource for young people who want to understand orchestral music. Carolyn Phelan --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Reader Reviews
This review is from: Young Person's Guide to Music (Hardcover) I used this with my children (ages 2-13) in 1999 as an introduction to different musical instruments. We enjoyed the photos of instruments being played, diagrams to clarify details, and historical information on the instruments. In the first 51 pages called Making Music, topics covered are the orchestra, conductor, composer, groups of instruments (stringed, woodwind, brass, percussion, and keyboard), and chamber music. Each instument section includes how the instruments actually make the sounds and is correlated to the CD. I wish the CD tracks could have been longer and sometimes the track included several instruments playing. It was hard to just pick out a particular instrument, especially for the younger children. The music on the CD is Concerto in Pieces by Poul Ruders played by the BBC Symphony Orchestra and conducted by Andrew Davis. In the composer section there are photos of Ruders working on this score, in the orchestra section there are photos of the BBC Symphony Orchestra, and in the conductor section there are photos of Andrew Davis conducting. Part 2 is the History of Music. We enjoyed an interesting timeline with historic art from 40,000 BC to 2000 AD. (Since they have so little information, it really starts in 2600 BC.) Major divisions are ancient, medieval, baroque, classical, romantic, and national music. A reference section on composers, musical forms, and a glossary of musical terms completes the book. I didn't really care for the CD, especially now having listened to it many, many times through. I wish it could have more clearly indicated individual instruments too. I think this was a good start in our study of musical instruments. The children were interested in reading from it each day (2-4 pages per day). They enjoyed the diagrams and seeing the instruments. The CD added to the book. I just think it could have been better. Comment | | (Report this)