A preeminent composer, music scholar, and biographer presents an
engaging and accessible introduction to classical music
For many of us, classical music is something serious -- something we
study in school, something played by cultivated musicians at fancy
gatherings. In Language of the Spirit, renowned music scholar Jan
Swafford argues that we have it all wrong: classical music has something
for everyone and is accessible to all. Ranging from Gregorian chant to
Handel's Messiah, from Vivaldi's The Four Seasons to the postmodern
work of Philip Glass, Swafford is an affable and expert guide to the
genre. He traces the history of Western music, introduces readers to the
most important composers and compositions, and explains the underlying
structure and logic of their music.
Language of the Spirit is essential reading for anyone who has ever
wished to know more about this sublime art.