Rock Me Amadeus: Or How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love Handel

by Seb Hunter

When Seb Hunter turned his back on his record collection in search of more nourishing sounds, rock 'n' roll cold turkey was going to be the least of his problems. What followed was a Euro-odyssey that included 20 varieties of Austrian sausage, minstrels, several tellings-off and a night on the sauce with an off-duty conductor.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Classical Music

Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

A defining text on classical music? Definitely not. A fun romp that provides the faintest toehold on the giant edifice of the classics? Yes. There's nothing deep or profound in Seb Hunter's "Rock Me Amadeus", and at times it's perhaps a little *too* gonzo, but as a cross between a guide to the great classics for pop connoisseurs and the diary of someone whose brainwave of immersion learning was a bit more than he expected, it's a fine book. Very readable, filled with witty (or just pain silly) asides (was Felix Mendelssohn really the Paul Samwell-Smith of classical music? Good question.), and - perhaps most tellingly - a cynical outside view of the sheer weight of capital-C Culture which has grown up around what was originally entertainment for the masses. If you're expecting insights into the great classics, this isn't the book for you. But if you're curious about the classics but never had a clue where to start and have always been too embarrassed to ask the po-faced aficionados, this is a good place to look.

[Adam]

I guess I should listen to the ring cycle for 14 hours in a row? Who's with me?

[Sally Bosch · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book, I really did. I only made it to page 18 before I was ready to throw it in the bin.

I was startled at the obvious Bill Bryson name-drop; mildly amused at the blatant 'WITTY INCIDENTS' attention-getter; and totally unamused at the author's apparent attempt to make every sentence 'clever'. '...waiters rumbustiously' doing anything is not clever.

However, what made me begin to aim the book at the bin was the sacrilegious mockery of a Saint.

Enough of my afternoon wasted!

My humble opinion only.

[Tyyni Lang · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. After learning classical piano for years, I had not real idea of the history of the composers over the centuries. This was a funny, accessible way to enrich my knowledge. Loved this book. Seb is very funny and I'm gonna make a playlist of the 5 star lists to see if I agree with him.

[Philip Kerr · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic book! Brilliant fun! And far more educational than might be outwardly apparent. Seb takes you from the Stone Age, through all the...genres (?)... right up to date. His encounters with the classics are wonderful and sometimes hilarious.

Don't be a purist, read this!

[Kitten · Rating 3 out of 5]

Popsugar 2021: A book about art or an artist.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a really good read.
Enlightening, fun and educational.
But I was left wondering whether the _author_ had enjoyed the experience much.

[Sean · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't finish it. Okay but just lost interest.