By chance I came across these books today, they're published by the ABRSM:


A Performer's Guide to Music of the Baroque Period

A Performer's Guide to Music of the Classical Period

A Performer's Guide to Music of the Romantic Period


They look *really* interesting - lots of background information about how music and instruments developed. I'm not at a high practical level yet so I'm viewing them from the point of view of the higher theory grades (identifying styles and periods). But mainly they just look fascinating to read from a general musical interest viewpoint. I've done a forum search for them because I've not noticed them being mentioned before, and they've been mentioned occasionally a long time ago, very favourably. The links give more information about the books and some good reviews. I thought my G6 theory friends might like to know about the books, but I'm posting here rather than the Theory forum because they're not really theory books, more background reading.

Thank you ABRSM - they're just what I wanted but didn't think existed up till today!

I have the Baroque one and have browsed it occasionally but haven't found that it's the sort of thing I'd choose to read. I just don't find it an inviting sort of book somehow and haven't so far found it easy to find something relevant when I've tried using it as a reference book when playing music of the period (which is how I imagined I'd want to use it).

I've got all 3 and agree with what sbhoa has said.

There are loads and loads and loads of books available, both on individual composers and their works and the periods that the great composers produced their works.

You can even source some of these books from your local library so you get a chance to read them first before you buy.

Just go for a browse on Amazon to get an idea of what's available.

Thanks Skylark



This is also very good to know.

Does anyone know if I will receive any of this type of book in my study material for the OU A214 course?

ET

Some people have found the Performers Guides useful for practical, others for theory, and I'm going to find them useful/interesting for broadening my general musical knowledge as well. The following quotes are what some other people have said about the series which throw more light on what the books cover. If anybody can recommend any specific titles which cover similar topics as the Performers Guides, all alternative recommendations welcome

I think that point may be crucial - for us, the Performer's Guides are a compact resource in English, where we have no easy access to other standard English references. The CD was a big deciding factor for me too.

I do get them out quite regularly - they've earned their keep!

P.S. This is really All Ears, too early in the morning, not remembering that Viohazard logged on recently...

No, you don't, but towards the end of the course in the later units you get to cover most of the periods of music, from renaissance through to classical. They provide lists of reference materials and further reading ideas, so you may find something that will further your knowledge on the subject matter. If you attend your tutorials, your tutor may also be able to suggest books to help you.

My reply wasn't suggesting the books weren't useful, but it was in relation to Skylark's point that "they didn't previously exist". That is clearly incorrect.

A quick search of a site like Amazon will return tens of thousands of results for these musical periods or the great composers.

Anyone with internet access (as everyone posting here must have ) means you have access to all of this other material as well.

I already have quite a number of books about composers, periods and instruments but the AB Guides are quite different to any other books I've seen, and as I said, they are *precisely* what I want. None of the other books I've seen have covered quite the same topics as the AB Guides or in the same way.* I am aware of the Amazon site and many other book sites as I am an avid reader. But I came across the AB Guides by chance in a bookshop and I am thrilled with them. I doubt if each of the "tens of thousands" of books which Amazon list would excite me as much, and in that respect I didn't think a book existed which was *precisely* what I wanted and which would excite me so much Hopefully this makes my original statement clearer!



* I would be interested to have recommendations of any similar books as very often reading about the same things but expressed in different ways throws new light on something

[quote name='skylark' date='Sep 9 2008, 10:49 AM' post='740408']

[/quote]
I would be interested to have recommendations of any similar books as very often reading about the same things but expressed in different ways throws new light on something
[/quote]

As I said above, if you're interested in other books, the best place to start is Amazon where you can find thousands of books, including the 3 titles published by ABRSM you refered to above.

I think that is exactly the problem, how do you know which of the thousands are of interest to you. Although I also was slightly disappointed with the performers guides at least they give you an idea about topics you want to lean more about.

Thank you for your suggestion. It's because there are thousands of books that I'm asking people on here whose opinions I value for *recommendations* of any books which are similar to the AB Guides and which they have found useful

You can read the Amazon reviews, you can ask on Forums about specific titles and you can do what I've done many times before and suggested above i.e. you can source some titles from your local library and have a read of them for yourself.

That way, if you like that title then you can buy a copy for yourself. If not, you can keep looking.

Still, you need a starting point before you can do all that. You can't search for something if you don't know you don't know it.

The original point was about books covering 3 musical periods. You can search for those periods and get lots of results.

If that is not what you're interested in then you search for what you ARE interested in.

If you don't know what you're interested in then no-one can help you.

Gerry, I can't make out what angle you're coming from. I made my original post because I'd found a series of books which I personally think are fantastic and I wanted to share that with others. I thought sharing information, supporting and helping each other was the point of this forum. You haven't recommended any particular books and *seem* to have a problem with people asking for recommendations for specific books. Could you perhaps explain the angle you're coming from...

I don't have an angle, I was simply trying to help you by pointing out that there are many many more interesting books like the 3 you have found to be fantastic, as you seemed to be under the false impression that these are the only 3 books like these in existence.

I have no problem about people asking for recommendations.

Ah I see... then we have both misunderstood each other

I don't wish to be pedantic or start an argument but I didn't misunderstand you.

Good luck with your search.

Apologies that it seems to have offended you then, I think you've maybe read more into it than was intended


Thank you

I think it is a great idea for people to recommend to others what they have found useful, particularly when you know it is someone working at a similar level as yourself. I would much rather go by recommendation than plunge in the dark.

Its great that you managed to find yours in a local book shop

Thanks again Skylark for taking the time to post your findings.

ET

Yes, same here

The books aren't cheap, but Christmas is coming up and if anyone would like me to bring them down to Somerset in October to have a look at, just let me know.