Music for the Soul: Experiencing Classical Music through Informed Listening

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Informed listening demands knowledge, context, and meditative practice. Even in ideal circumstances, imparting the musical knowledge required for engaged listening is a challenge not easily met. It is refreshing to encounter a well-reasoned and clearly written guide for all those who seek to experience, understand, and share a love for classical music through informed listening.

-Joan E. MacLeod, PhD

Informed listening meets gentle introspection in this invitation to dive deeply into selected works of some of the great masters of Western classical music. An overview of the Baroque, Classical, and Romantic periods is presented, followed by concise yet heartfelt biographies of Albinoni, Mozart, Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Chopin, Brahms, and Dvorak.

The chosen works of each of these masters are the slow, heartbeat movements of concertos and symphonies. A greater understanding of each of the works is cultivated through a detailed listening guide complete with musical notation, a diagram of the musical form, and personal reflection questions for the listener.

This approachable and inspiring listening guide is both a perfect introduction to classical music for new listeners and a welcome companion for those looking to enhance their music appreciation and understanding of these great works of the masters.