Music and Audio Books

I can't say enough about these incredibly informative and entertaining musical lectures and the larger series of which they are a part. Greenberg is eloquent, funny, and fascinating. This is what I have been looking for in a music appreciation course all my life.

I started with the set that comes right before this set, which was Part Three, describing how instrumental and dance musical forms of the Baroque era were the antecedents of musical forms in the Classical era. Greenberg starts this set, Part Four with a wonderful depiction of the last of these instrumental forms, the Sonata-Allegro Form. All along he warns us that when we are listening to music in real life we may not be aware of all the components of these musical forms that he describes, but the fact that we have been exposed to them will allow us a broader field of perception, so we will hear more of what is going on in the music.

This is without question true of his marvelous representation of the Sonata-Allegro form as being analogous to opera. When he plays Mozart's Overture to Don Giovanni, it becomes clear exactly what he means. In the first part of the overture we hear two consecutive themes, which are introduced the way the main characters are introduced in the first act of an opera. Theme one is brilliant and elegant like Don Giovanni himself. In theme two, the violins sound like chickens clucking, and it represents the character Leporello, who himself is a chicken and a loser.

Dr. Greenberg also has such personal familiarity with the composers themselves, that when he talks about them, they start to feel like old friends. His stories of Mozart are captivating. He plays a passage from the development section of another of Mozart's Sonata-Allegro form compositions which has no discernible melody or rhythm, and therefore sounds contemporary. When he reassures us that this was indeed written by "our golden haired boy Mozart", you feel like you've just learned of a new side of an old friend that you never knew about before.

Greenberg draws a clear picture of the culture and economic conditions that gave birth to these musical genres, e.g. the birth of the classical symphony concurrent with the birth of the middle class, particularly in Vienna during the late 18th century. It was there that the logical German style and the artistic Italian style blended with the operatic principles of character contrast and plot development, which all ended up being the classical style. When Greenberg illustrates these points with examples from Mozart, Haydn, and Beethoven, you feel like you understand and appreciate this music heller more than you ever did before.

Although I have not been brief, I have only given a mere taste of the treasures that await you in this great cassette or CD program. For me it has completely raised the curtain on the world of classical music in a most fun and compelling way. My understanding of it has multiplied, even though I am merely casually listening in short spurts as I drive around town. But I will warn you that you might start to look for longer, more indirect routes to circumnavigate between your appointments just so you'll have an excuse to hear more of these tapes in one sitting. For me it has been worth the extra time and gasoline.

An audio course is absolutely the best way to study the history of music. Greenberg is a great guide, consistently interesting, enthusiastic, and funny. He provides historical context of the times as well as analysis of the music itself.

From the moment I put this CD in my player, I was mesmerized!
I have never heard duets so perfectly performed, two players so perfectly matched, with such talent! It is a true pleasure to listen to these recordings.

Run, don't walk, to purchase this CD. Beth Nielson Chapman has taken these traditional Catholic hymns, and with her clear, pure voice, she has turned them into the lovely praises to God that they were intended to be.

This is a wonderful, restful, calming CD. The songs are played so well and flow together so seamlessly that they make great background music. The words are familiar from my childhood and drift through my mind as I work, bringing an awareness of the Lord's presence. I highly recommend this CD for adults as well as children. There's a peace about it that's missing in much that's available today.

We live in a world where music can affect any emotion or mood. Yet in my opinion no music has the ability to uplift the spirit and soul as hymns do.

Lynn Peterson's voice, the background music and the whole arrangement is absolutely beautiful as she sings these classic hymns. I strongly recommend both her CDs: Hymns for the Whole Family, Volumes I & II.

Kathryn Scott does a great job reminding us why we buy Christian CD's with this album: to help us refocus on Jesus. Her lyrics and melodies are used without distracting guitar rifts; she uses her own voice and clear melodies. I can tell this album is about more than entertaining people; I think you'll be pleasantly surprised if you are looking for music that is about more than you - it's about our need for Jesus.

My mother bought this for us when we were younger. I have to say it's one of the funnest albums I've ever encountered. The songs are hilarious.. and I want another copy..

It is my favorite worship CD I own. I have never entered into the presence of God like this CD allows me to.

My kids absolutely LOVED this from age 2 to about 5 or so. The songs are upbeat and easy for them to sing along with, and the stories just capture their attention. Great for the car or anytime. I'm looking for more Karyn Henley CD's for my 3yo now.