Music Classical and Opera

Children's Literature

The earliest music was simple and used to convey a forthright message, but the Renaissance ushered in a new era in musical composition and performance. Though music composed during the eighteenth century is categorized as "classical music," Brasch uses this term to refer to Baroque, Romantic and Renaissance music, each of which is covered briefly in this text. A basic definition is given with emphasis regarding the musical style of the era, followed by brief looks at the predominant instruments used in each era and the composers. The discussion of opera takes up the last half of the text and is structured in much the same was as the discussion of music. Popular operas, opera composers, and opera singers are each covered in a few pages where they are briefly defined. Richly illustrated with full-color photos of performances and representations of famous past composers and performances, Brasch provides an adequate introduction to classical music and opera that will help establish a firm foundation for any child interested in music. Basic biographical information provides the bulk of the text, but each section on music and opera is preceded by introductions to the style itself, including definitions of common terms used. 2005, Smart Apple Media, $ 27.10. Ages 8 to 12.
—Danielle Williams