Features
- Cover Type: Hard Cover with 697 pages
- Published by: W. W. Norton & Company; 9 Har/Cdr edition September 2003
- Written in: English
- ISBN 10 Number: 039397877X
- ISBN 13 Number: 978-0393978773
-
Book Dimensions:
11.1 x 7.9 x 1.4 inches
- Weighs: 4 pounds
Book Description
With nearly three million copies sold over eight editions,
The Enjoyment of Music is the best-selling music appreciation text of all time. Spanning the Middle Ages through the twenty-first century, the text offers a thorough introduction to the elements of music, a broad overview of the
History of musical styles, and fascinating cultural contexts and perspectives. The Ninth Edition of this classic text features a stunning new design, exciting new repertory, and an unmatched ancillary and media package.
About The Author
The late
Joseph Machlis was professor of music at Queens College of the City University of New York. Among his many publications are
Introduction to Contemporary Music (Norton), several novels, and singing translations for many operas.
Kristine Forney is professor of music at California State University, Long Beach, where she regularly teaches music appreciation and music
History to undergraduate students. Her understanding of today's students and her highly regarded teaching abilities make her the ideal author for this appreciation-level textbook. She is also a respected scholar who has written extensively on music of the Renaissance, and is a contributor to the
New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians.
Reader Reviews
This review is from: The Enjoyment of Music: An Introduction to Perceptive Listening (Chronological Version) (Hardcover)
I am currently using the new ninth edition of this textbook for a college music appreciation class. This text is great for people who want to learn about music history in Western society (Western Europe and some of America). Beginning with a chapter on the elements and aspects of music, the book starts with Gregorian Chant (c. 400) and quickly moves through history all the way to 20th century music, including minimalism and Arvo Part. The reading is clear and straightforward, and the pictures and charts make the reading more exciting than your typical bland textbook. There are some problems, however. First, this book is not adequate for music majors. As another reviewer states, many great composers here are overlooked or briefly mentioned, especially those composers who were not on the leading edge of each movement (e.g. William Byrd, Sergei Rachmaninov, Gustav Holst, Bruckner, Wolf, and Prokofiev). Another issue that some have with the book is its inclusion of women composers into history. I understand why they do it. Even today in society there are few women composers, and it is important to teach our young women that they can write great music. On the other hand, as a result of poor musical education and opportunities, compositions of women composers such as Jacquet de la Guerre and Barbara Strozzi pale in comparison with those of Mozart, Bach, and Beethoven. This emphasis of women composers is one that is constantly undergoing debate in the music world. If you are looking for a Music Appreciation textbook, I would strongly consider this one as well as Roger Kamien's text. If you are not taking a class and just want to learn about music, you should consider getting the 8-CD set of musical excerpts. They go along with the listening guides in the book, and help illustrate the textbook's concepts.
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