Who's Afraid of Classical Music?: A Highly Arbitrary, Thoroughly Opinionated Guide to Listening to and Enjoying Symphony, Opera and Chamber Music

I read this book way back in 6th grade. Even then, it was very enjoyable, honest, and witty. A must for anyone who loves classical music.

This is a very good introduction to classical music. It's also very unconventional--it's not one of those books whose primary recommmendations are Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, the Nutrcacker, Pachebel's Canon etc. As Walsh says, he's trying to get you to love music, not appreciate it. Sometimes, yes, he does forget who his audience is and throws out a couple terms or names without explaining them (e.g. "scherzo" or Rossini), and his recommendations are, to say the least, electic--his first recommended opera is Berg's Wozzeck, and in the symphonic repetiore he skips, say, Haydn and Tchaikovksy entirely, and includes Ives and Messiaen. But this makes the book more unique and mind-opening, and means you can still read it even if you already know something about classical music. Walsh also includes a few biographical chapters about Bach, Mozart, Wagner etc., and a very interesting (but one of the most confusing) one about modern American composers. He discusses the problems with classical music today, such as the seemingly closed-circle repetoire and gap between composers and audience. In short, a very good introductory book that can give pleasure even for a more learned person than Walsh is writing for. (By the way, Walsh does indeed discuss the Beethoven sonatas and quartets, and his "more respected than loved" comment only refers to the Op. 18 quartets.)

I first read this book early in high school just as I was discovering classical music. Not only is it funny and informative, it gives you ways to branch out and discover things on your own. (The author even puts a "if you like X then try Y" chart in the appendix!) It was my first introduction to the opera (I am now an avid opera-goer). Not for a moment does Walsh leave you confused or disoriented -- he is a guide in the truest sense of the word! My only criticism is that it is now a little out of date.

I first read this book when I was 15, 10 long years ago as I was getting into classical music. Years later I was delighted to discover that it is still in print. It is a great introduction to classical music, a "pre" dummies book that does not talk down to the novice. Although the technical explanations could have been a bit better, it does not distract from the main message: the music is what is important, not the famous name who performs it. A good introduction to help one along the way to classical music, not just a list of famous names who perform even more famous music.

This is the book that got me most interested in Classical Music. It's a pretty funny and irreverent book at times, but most importantly, its opinionated. Walsh inspires the reader to form his own opinions as to what they like and don't like. Rather than fawn over everything, he argues passionately in either direction. He treats music as art, not as religious artifact.