The Essential Listening to Music (with Audio CD and Music CourseMate with eBook Printed Access Card) - Tapa blanda

"This text is a chronological journey through music history that is significantly shorter in length than most, hence the title, focusing on the most important composers and genres from each era without an overload of unnecessary terms or concepts. Therefore, it is a better fit for non-majors taking their first music course, as it introduces musical terms and guidelines of how to listen to Classical music." "Yes, the writing is extremely clear and it is at the appropriate level. I found myself reading all of the text (even when I only expected to skim some passages). The material is presented in an interesting and up-to-date manner, especially, with references to modern pop composers.... I particularly liked the biographical materials on the composers. The information reflects current scholarship and it is accurate. I also liked the material on . . . society, which shed light on the period and helps students understand the social and cultural issues surrounding the composer and his works." "I am very fond of the musical examples and the references to YouTube. This is an increasingly important tool for teaching if used well, and I think the incorporation here is well done. I am considering online instruction for this course, and I think this material is well suited to spark discussion and interest. . . . The brevity, with good musical examples, looks like it would fit well into a semester's coverage." "I really enjoyed the fresh approach. There is much more in this text that current students can relate to. . . . The overall tone of the writing is right on the money, and perfect for today's students."

THE ESSENTIAL LISTENING TO MUSIC draws on the strengths of author Craig Wright's larger volumes--outstanding listening resources, clear writing, state-of-the-art online resources--and delivers them in a direct, conversational style that is designed to inspire a lifelong appreciation of music. In this concise book, scholar and master-teacher Wright focuses on the key concepts and works presented within a typical Music Appreciation course, avoids lengthy discussions on side topics, and includes a set of integrated digital resources that make it easy--and fun--for you to master the material. THE ESSENTIAL LISTENING TO MUSIC is approximately 60 percent shorter than the large volume and is priced much lower than our larger texts. This chronological text discusses musical examples from each historical period, each discussed within its social context. This provides you with a sense of a piece's construction, as well as its historical and cultural meaning. THE ESSENTIAL LISTENING TO MUSIC includes a wide range of resources designed to develop listening skills and challenge you: a free "Introduction to Listening" CD, packaged with each copy of the text; Listening Exercises built into the book and online (unique to Wright's text); ; streaming music and downloads; computer-enhanced Active Listening Guides; and listening quizzes for all of the music in the text. All of these are included within CourseMate, a comprehensive online learning environment. You can download all of the music that is covered in the text -- directly to a music library --using the Sony Music Download Card that is bound into the book. An optional two-CD set is also available.