The 30 Greatest Orchestral Works

By: Robert Greenberg, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Robert Greenberg

Length: 24 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's summary

Over the centuries, orchestral music has given us a category of works that stand apart as transcendent expressions of the human spirit. What are these "greatest of the greats"? Find out in these 32 richly detailed lectures that take you on a sumptuous grand tour of the symphonic pieces that continue to live at the center of our musical culture. These thirty masterworks form an essential foundation for any music collection and a focal point for understanding the orchestral medium and deepening your insight into the communicative power of music. While seasoned music lovers will find the lectures a revealing journey through the repertoire, the course welcomes newcomers to orchestral music, offering a very accessible point of entry to this magnificent repertoire.

You'll encounter symphonies, concertos, tone poems, symphonic poems, and suites, delving into the works through extensive musical excerpts. The course covers the major eras and stylistic periods in Western music from the early 18th- to the mid-20th centuries and highlights a wide range of European and American works. Among these: Haydn's Symphony no. 104, Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring, and Shostakovich's Symphony no. 5. Throughout these lectures, you'll learn about the major musical forms found in orchestral writing and how they're used in conveying expressive meanings. Knowing how these forms work allows you to grasp the structure of the music as you hear it, and also to appreciate how the greatest composers used them, extended them, and finally departed from them in sublimely original ways.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2011 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2011 The Great Courses

Professor Greenberg delivers another winner

Excellent in depth research matched with superlative musical knowledge and an always entertaining delivery makes this lecture series another must listen for music lovers.

The best way to learn about music

Audiobooks are probably the best way to learn about music.
This books was really good, even if some of the more technical terms went over my musically non-educated head.
And the professor is very passionate about the subject, which has definitely enhanced my enjoyment.

This is what audiobooks are for

Would you listen to The 30 Greatest Orchestral Works again? Why?

I'm in the habit of listening to audiobooks while I'm running. For most of those books, I could probably get a better understanding if I sit down and read the book in paper. However, it is different for the 30 greatest orchestral works. The presentation is just perfect and could not be achieved if not in audio form.

very worthwhile intro - with an urgent message

Entertaining and inspiring - and carries an important urgent message to audiences, composers, and orchestra to develop new pieces or die of irrelevence.

expertise and enthusiasm

I chose this title to summarize my thank you to the narrator Professor Greenberg. Obviously an expert who loves and appreciates music and creativity. His enthusiasm enhanced my enjoyment of this formidable topic. I am returning to discover more about music I have always loved from a gentleman who knows and loves great music. Thank you professor.

Fun, Entertaining, and Evocative

What made the experience of listening to The 30 Greatest Orchestral Works the most enjoyable?

The professor kept the presentation very interesting. He brings you into the personal histories and lives of the composers so that you can understand why they wrote their music. A fantastic experience for me.

What other book might you compare The 30 Greatest Orchestral Works to and why?

I've never heard anything like this - although I wouldn't consider myself a knowledgeable reader...

Which scene was your favorite?

I loved his description of Peter Tchaikovsky's violin concerto because of the drama and story around it. And then I found the musical examples thrilling to hear.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The story of Dimitri Schocastovich told of the pain and suffering he lived through under the rule of Stalin in Russia - and how he defiantly poured that pain into his music bringing his audiences to tears because they understood and related to his emotions. I was deeply moved, and had to hear the entire piece myself after listening to the lecture.

Any additional comments?

Wow I would take a course from this author any day. It was a moving, beautiful experience. Now I have even more reasons to enjoy the symphonies I love, and have a much better appreciation for what I'm hearing.

Professor Greenberg get's 100 Stars!

+ Professor Greenberg is funny and witty
+ The biographies on the composers at the beginning of each lecture (and Greenberg's humor) make the whole series worth it.
+ I still don't understand most of the technical aspects of classical composition, but after listening to this course ... I can see that there ARE technical aspects to appreciate.

- Some of the technical aspects were way over my head.

Overall ... great course and like I've said in other reviews, the Great Courses additions are a GOLD MINE of value in our Audible subscriptions. Whoever negotiated that/figured that out deserves a raise!

Outstanding!

Great listen for both musicians & enthusiasts alike. No prior music theory or history required.

Entertaining and engaging

Greenberg is a wonderful lecturer. Highly informed, a little opinionated, and a gifted presenter. If you're just starting out in orchestral music, or if you have been into it for years, I think you will enjoy spending time with this course.

Awesome and very informative

I loved everything about this Audible book — the story & the narrator were great. I loved that each musical masterpiece was presented in about 45 minutes in length.