Downbeat Music Guide

Hopkins, Antony

Oxford Univ. Pr.

In this remarkable book, Antony Hopkins shows how the entire orchestra acts as a distinct musical instrument, one which composers have played upon over the centuries to express every mood, from the most sublime to the most frivolous. In so doing, he explains the ways in which a composer's "signature in sound" develops, from the subtly exotic pattern of a Bartok theme to the sensuously evocative chords in Debussy. Hopkins offers an in-depth look at the origins of the orchestra itself, an evolutionary process that took the better part of two centuries in Europe, yet finds its roots in our ancient past. He begins his discussion in ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome, moves through the music of medieval Europe, and ultimately reaches a watershed moment in the history of the orchestra as we now know it: the composition of Bach's Brandenburg Concertos in the early eighteenth century. Having introduced the various instruments, explained the development of their groupings, and demonstrated how the blending of their tones led to the orchestral sounds of the modern era, he provides an incisive examination of actual compositions. Expertly guiding readers through representative pieces by Mozart, Schubert, Berlioz, Tchaikovsky, Debussy, and Britten, Hopkins offers a unique and insightful companion for beginning and more seasoned concert-goers alike.

Sounds of the Orchestra

Arts & Photography

Music

Oxford University Press

In this prize-winning volume, Antony Hopkins offers an accessible and entertaining introduction to the pleasures of music. He shows how music has developed over the centuries, the ways in which it has been written, and exactly what to listen for in a wide range of musical forms. With his well-known talent for making even the most complex types of music clear to non-musicians, Hopkins begins with the basics--rhythm, harmony, and melody--and then moves on to more advanced topics, such as the key system and the principal musical forms. From preludes and fugues to sonatas, symphonies, and concertos, Hopkins provides a generous number of musical examples to demonstrate how various compositions should be interpreted. And by analyzing representative works by Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Debussy, and Panufnik, he is able to show how various composers have approached their art, and how music has evolved from the eighteenth century to the present day. Also included are sections on different modes of expression throughout the ages, innovations in instruments, the meaning behind the music, the relationship between words and music in choral works, and a special chapter on approaches to three important works that have been proved especially challenging to listeners: Beethoven's Grosse Fuge, The Rite of Spring by Stravinsky, and Webern's 6 Bagatelles for String Quartet. Appendices include help on more technical aspects of scores, and a ery useful glossary of musical terms. The perfect companion for listeners approaching classical music for the first time, as well as for those who wish to gain further insight into their favorite compositions, Understanding Music is an essential part of any music lover's library.

Understanding Music

Antony Hopkins was most instrumental in opening up classical music to a wider audience. To celebrate his 90th birthday in 2011 (21st March, same date as Bach but different year) we are republishing some of his works.

The Nine Symphonies of Beethoven

Univ of Washington Pr

Pan/Macmillan

Dust jacket clipped and worn, page edges tanned. Shipped from the U.K. All orders received before 3pm sent that weekday.

J.M.Dent & Sons Ltd.

In this book, the author explains how composers have used the orchestra to express every mood, from the most sublime to the most witty, showing how they have blended its tones and extended its capabilities, from the earliest groupings of instruments, through the flowering of the concerto grosso under Bach and Handel, to the growth of the modern symphony orchestra. Having introduced the instruments and discussed their history, range and uses, Antony Hopkins guides the reader through well-known pieces of orchestral music by Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Berlioz, Tchaikovsky, Debussy and Britten.

Tuttle+publishing

This engagingly lucid Companion by one of Britain's leading critics explores and interprets 120 significant and frequently-played orchestral works. Each composer--39 in all, from Bach to Walton--is introduced in a biographical sketch and placed in the musical context of his time. Hopkins then employs his talent for illuminating a piece of music without resorting to technical language to offer the concertgoer and record buyer a fascinating discussion of style, form, and historical perspective.

The Dent Concertgoer's Companion

Casals and the art of interpretation

"This is an immensely valuable book and one which is clearly designed to appeal to all musicians―not just string players...Mr. Blum has captured in great detail the little things that so often make a great teacher. I would strongly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in the Art of Interpretation."―Music Teacher "The volume belongs to an exceptional class of literature: it is to be welcomed as a significant contribution. In his Forward, Antony Hopkins in a most eloquent way makes us fully aware of our possible great loss had the subject material forming this book not been preserved for posterity...throughout the book one remains not only an absorbed reader, but very much an active participant."―Violoncello Society Newsletter "Now we have an authoritative guide to this great artist's approach to interpretation...a book which should be compulsory reading for every player, conductor and teacher."―Music Journal of the Incorporated Society of Musicians "Blum has elegantly combined precise music terminology with meticulous music examples to present lucid and revealing details of interpretation that can be quickly and easily grasped. Only superlatives apply to this book, and all serious musicians would find immense pleasure and musical profit from reading this work. Highly recommended at all levels."―Choice

Casals and the Art of Interpretation

Biographies & Memoirs

Tortelier, Paul

Blum, David

Arts & Literature

University of California Press

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Hopkins, Antony. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Hopkins, Antony

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Hopkins, Antony. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Downbeat Music Guide

Sounds of the Orchestra

Understanding Music

The Nine Symphonies of Beethoven

The Nine Symphonies of Beethoven

Understanding Music

Understanding Music

Sounds of the Orchestra

The Dent Concertgoer's Companion

Casals and the Art of Interpretation