Music: The Art of Listening w CD-ROM

Features

• Cover Type: Paperback with 425 pages
• Published by: McGraw-Hill Humanities/Social Sciences/Languages
• Edition: 6th Edition December 12, 2002
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 0072883979
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-0072883978
• Book Dimensions: 9.9 x 8 x 0.7 inches
• Weighs: 2 pounds

Reader Reviews
Having taught music appreciation and music literature at the college level for nearly thirty years I have seen many books such as this one. This is one of the best. Where many authors are condescending, Ferris speaks straight to you; where many authors give irrelevant history and biography, Ferris focuses on the musical experience, using history and biography only as a tool for better understanding. Many books have the not-so-hidden agenda to make it clear that classical music is better than pop music in every way; but Ferris creates a more exploratory environment. Her sections on the music of non-Western cultures (Chinese, Japanese, Middle Eastern, African... and even Native American) are quite well focused, and these open up the mind to alternative -- and equal -- modes of listening and appreciating music as a human activity. The one weak area for me was the CD collection (always a problem as there are too many good choices). Earlier editions had a bit better selection. Some were supposed to be shifted to the extended collection, and the extended collection that is listed in the book is really wonderful. Unfortunately, that collection never materialized. The extended collection I received (twice) left off all the selections I was counting on for my class. But if the publisher ever gets that collection together, this really will be the best music appreciation book on the market. Be forewarned: you do have to be able to read at a college level, and there is an expectation that you have some real music background, even if you can't read music. Over the years I have found that freshman college students have more and more trouble reading books at this level, but other books are no better. The Ferris book is smaller and more compact than most, has more relevant information than most, and creates the best experience of all. Comment | | (Report this)