How The Symphony: A Listener's Guide Can Enhance Your Appreciation of Symphonic Music - Mobi Format Included
The Symphony: A Listener's Guide - A Book Review
If you are a music lover who wants to learn more about the history, development, and analysis of symphonic music, you might be interested in reading The Symphony: A Listener's Guide by Michael Steinberg. This book is a comprehensive and insightful exploration of the symphony as a musical genre, covering more than 150 works by 36 composers from Haydn to Shostakovich. In this article, we will review the book and show you how to download it in mobi format, which is a popular file format for e-books.
The Symphony: A Listener's Guide mobi download book
The scope and structure of the book
The book consists of four parts, each focusing on a different period of symphonic history. The first part covers the classical era, from Haydn to Beethoven; the second part covers the romantic era, from Schubert to Mahler; the third part covers the early 20th century, from Debussy to Prokofiev; and the fourth part covers the mid-20th century, from Bartok to Shostakovich. Each part contains chapters on individual composers, with detailed discussions of their symphonic works. The book also includes an introduction that explains the origins and evolution of the symphony, a glossary of musical terms, a bibliography of sources, and an index of names and works.
The main features and benefits of the book
One of the main features of the book is that it provides both historical and musical analysis of each symphony. Steinberg not only gives biographical information about the composers and their cultural contexts, but also explains how their symphonies reflect their personalities, styles, and influences. He also describes how each symphony is structured, what themes and motifs are used, how they are developed and varied, what instruments and techniques are employed, what emotions and moods are conveyed, and what effects they have on the listener. He uses musical examples to illustrate his points and makes references to other works by the same or different composers for comparison.
Another feature of the book is that it is written in a clear, engaging, and accessible way. Steinberg avoids technical jargon and assumes that his readers have some basic knowledge of music theory and notation. He writes with passion, humor, and enthusiasm, sharing his personal opinions and preferences as well as his professional expertise. He also invites his readers to listen actively and critically to the symphonies he discusses, offering suggestions on what to pay attention to and what to look for. He encourages his readers to explore their own tastes and opinions, as well as to appreciate the diversity and richness of symphonic music.
The style and tone of the book
The style and tone of the book are informal, conversational, and friendly. Steinberg writes as if he is talking to his readers directly, using personal pronouns, rhetorical questions, analogies, metaphors, anecdotes, jokes, and quotations. He also uses a variety of sentence structures and lengths, as well as punctuation and formatting, to create rhythm, emphasis, and contrast. He creates a sense of intimacy and rapport with his readers, making them feel like they are having a dialogue with him rather than reading a lecture. He also shows respect and admiration for the composers and their works, as well as for his readers and their opinions.
The strengths and weaknesses of the book
The book has many strengths, such as its breadth, depth, clarity, interest, and originality. It covers a wide range of composers and works, from the well-known to the obscure, from the classical to the modern. It provides detailed and insightful analysis of each symphony, as well as historical and biographical background. It explains complex musical concepts and terms in simple and understandable ways. It captures the attention and curiosity of the reader with its lively and captivating writing style. It also offers a fresh and personal perspective on symphonic music, based on Steinberg's extensive knowledge and experience.
The book also has some weaknesses, such as its length, complexity, subjectivity, and bias. It is a very long and dense book, with more than 700 pages and 150 symphonies to cover. It can be overwhelming and intimidating for some readers, especially those who are new to symphonic music or who have limited time or attention span. It also requires a lot of concentration and effort to follow Steinberg's arguments and explanations, as well as to listen to the symphonies he discusses. It is not a book that can be read quickly or casually. It is also a very subjective and opinionated book, reflecting Steinberg's personal tastes and preferences. He does not shy away from expressing his likes and dislikes, his praises and criticisms, his agreements and disagreements with other critics and scholars. He also tends to favor certain composers and works over others, giving them more space and attention in the book. He does not claim to be objective or comprehensive, but rather to share his own views and experiences.
The target audience and purpose of the book
The target audience of the book is anyone who is interested in symphonic music, whether they are beginners or veterans, amateurs or professionals, students or teachers, listeners or performers. The book is suitable for anyone who wants to learn more about the history, development, and analysis of symphonic music, as well as to enjoy and appreciate it more fully. The book can also serve as a reference guide or a companion for listening to symphonies, as it provides information, insights, and recommendations for each work.
How to download the book in mobi format
If you are interested in reading The Symphony: A Listener's Guide by Michael Steinberg, you might want to download it in mobi format. Mobi is a file format for e-books that is compatible with most e-readers and devices, such as Kindle, Nook, Kobo, iPad, iPhone, Android, and Windows. Mobi files have several advantages over other formats, such as PDF or EPUB. For example, mobi files can adjust the font size and layout to fit different screen sizes and orientations. They can also support features like bookmarks, annotations, highlights, and dictionary lookup. They can also be easily converted to other formats if needed.
Where to find the book in mobi format
There are several ways to find the book in mobi format. One way is to buy it from an online store that sells e-books in mobi format, such as Amazon or Smashwords. You can search for the book by its title or author, and then choose the mobi option when you check out. You will then receive a link to download the file to your device or computer.
Another way is to borrow it from a library that offers e-books in mobi format, such as OverDrive or Hoopla. You can search for the book by its title or author, and then check its availability and format options. You will need a library card and an account to access the service. You will then be able to download the file to your device or computer for a limited period of time.
A third way is to download it from a free or public domain website that hosts e-books in mobi format, such as Project Gutenberg or Internet Archive. You can search for the book by its title or author, and then choose the mobi option from the list of formats. You will then be able to download the file to your device or computer without any cost or restriction.
How to download and open the book in mobi format
Once you have found the book in mobi format, you need to download and open it on your device or computer. The steps may vary depending on your device or computer model and software version, but here are some general guidelines:
If you are using a Kindle device or app, you can simply tap or click on the link to download the file and it will automatically open in your Kindle library. You can also transfer the file from your computer to your Kindle device via USB cable or email.
If you are using a Nook device or app, you can tap or click on the link to download the file and it will automatically open in your Nook library. You can also transfer the file from your computer to your Nook device via USB cable or email.
If you are using a Kobo device or app, you can tap or click on the link to download the file and it will automatically open in your Kobo library. You can also transfer the file from your computer to your Kobo device via USB cable or email.
If you are using an iPad, iPhone, or Android device or app, you can tap or click on the link to download the file and it will automatically open in your default e-reader app. You can also use a third-party app like Calibre or iBooks to manage and open your mobi files.
If you are using a Windows or Mac computer or laptop, you can click on the link to download the file and it will automatically save in your downloads folder. You can then use a program like Calibre or Kindle for PC/Mac to open and read your mobi files.
Tips and tricks for reading the book in mobi format
Once you have downloaded and opened the book in mobi format, you can enjoy reading it on your device or computer. Here are some tips and tricks to enhance your reading experience:
You can adjust the font size, style, color, brightness, and orientation of your screen according to your preference and comfort.
You can use bookmarks, annotations, highlights, and dictionary lookup features to mark important passages, make notes, emphasize words, and look up definitions.
You can use the table of contents, search function, page numbers, and progress bar to navigate through the book easily and quickly.
You can use the audio, video, and image features to listen to music, watch videos, and view images related to the book.
You can use the share, print, and export features to share your thoughts, opinions, and feedback with others, print out pages or sections of the book, and export the book to other formats.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The Symphony: A Listener's Guide by Michael Steinberg is a great book for anyone who wants to learn more about the history, development, and analysis of symphonic music. It provides both historical and musical analysis of more than 150 works by 36 composers from Haydn to Shostakovich. It is written in a clear, engaging, and accessible way, with passion, humor, and enthusiasm. It also invites the reader to listen actively and critically to the symphonies it discusses, offering suggestions and recommendations. The book can be downloaded in mobi format, which is a popular file format for e-books that is compatible with most e-readers and devices. The book can be enjoyed and appreciated on different levels and for different purposes, depending on the reader's interest and preference.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about the book and its mobi format:
Q: Who is Michael Steinberg and why is he qualified to write this book?A: Michael Steinberg was a renowned music critic, scholar, lecturer, and educator who wrote extensively about classical music. He was the program annotator for the San Francisco Symphony and the New York Philharmonic, as well as the artistic advisor for the Minnesota Orchestra. He also taught at several universities and conservatories. He had a deep knowledge and appreciation of symphonic music, as well as a gift for communicating it to others.
Q: How long does it take to read the book?A: The book is very long and dense, with more than 700 pages and 150 symphonies to cover. It can take several weeks or months to read the book in its entirety, depending on how much time and attention you can devote to it. However, you can also read the book selectively, choosing the composers and works that interest you most, or skipping the ones that you are already familiar with.
Q: How can I listen to the symphonies that are discussed in the book?A: There are several ways to listen to the symphonies that are discussed in the book. One way is to buy or borrow CDs or DVDs that contain recordings of the symphonies by various orchestras and conductors. You can also stream or download them from online platforms like Spotify or YouTube. Another way is to attend live performances of the symphonies by local or visiting orchestras at concert halls or venues near you. You can also watch them online or on TV if they are broadcasted or streamed.
Q: What are some other books that are similar to this one?A: There are many other books that are similar to this one in terms of topic, scope, style, or format. Some examples are The Classical Style by Charles Rosen, The Romantic Generation by Charles Rosen, The Rest Is Noise by Alex Ross, The NPR Guide to Building a Classical CD Collection by Ted Libbey, The Essential Canon of Classical Music by David Dubal, The Rough Guide to Classical Music by Jonathan Buckley et al., The Oxford Companion to Music by Alison Latham et al., The Harvard Dictionary of Music by Don Michael Randel et al., The Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians by Stanley Sadie et al., The New Grove Dictionary of Music Online by Laura Macy et al.
Q: How can I contact the author or publisher of the book?A: You can contact the author or publisher of the book by using their official websites or social media accounts. The author's website is http://www.michaelsteinberg.net/ and his email address is michael@michaelsteinberg.net. The publisher's website is https://global.oup.com/academic/ and their email address is academic.permissions@oup.com.
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