Orchestra

by Avalon Nuovo, David Doran (Illustrator)

Before there were DJs, rock stars, pop groups, and jazz trios, there was the orchestra. Whether it takes center stage or brings performances and movies to life, the orchestra is the magnificent original voice of the western world.

Learn about all of the ingenious instruments that make up the orchestra and the luminary composers whose work has endured for centuries. Travel from the stunning Wiener Musikverein in Vienna to the world’s greatest recording studios, all illuminated by David Doran’s stylish and immersive artwork.

A beautifully illustrated coffee table guide to everything you could ever want to know about the orchestra.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Childrens, Picture Books

80 pages, Hardcover

Published November 5, 2019

Reviews

[Hilary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mistakes are so annoying, particularly in a factual book. Although these drawings are stylised they are meant to be giving you factual information about instruments. So many depictions of people playing violins showed them being held at a ridiculous angle and being bowed on the neck or even the tailpiece which wouldn't make a sound because there are no strings here. A French horn is being played with no valve levers and a harp is being played with no pedals.

I really liked the idea of a book explaining the components of an orchestra and extra points gained for including some female composers that are often omitted from the history of music.

A really nice idea but I want to see a book about instruments depict instruments correctly. It's like seeing a book about animals show a Guinea pig with a tail and a cow with toes.

[Kathryn]

*Please note that I have no experience playing these instruments, however, so I would defer to those who do as to whether these are accurate. Hilary's review is well worth reading.*
Here, we see more detailed biographical info on a few lesser-known composers (including Hildegard of Bingen which I found exciting as we studied her in grad school!), and music “Beyond the Concert Hall” including music in mythology, cinema and musical theater. Also goes into detail on how each instrument works, with detailed and carefully labeled illustrations. Includes a Glossary but, alas, no Bibliography. I did not read this word-for-word so am not assigning a star rating, but was impressed with what I did read. If you are looking for a good introduction to the orchestra for children, see also A Child's Introduction to the Orchestra (Revised and Updated): Listen to 37 Selections While You Learn About the Instruments, the Music, and the ... the Music!, which includes all-important musical selections.

[Shane · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful, genius book! Starting from the basics of the history of the orchestra & its components, to looking at an example of instruments in detail, to famous composers and performers, and modern technology this is a fascinating book perfect for children interested in music. Beautiful artwork accompanies throughout, in a timeless style.

[Natalie Weber · Rating 3 out of 5]

Orchestra is a long book with lots of words. Definitely more suitable as a reference than as a read-aloud. It includes three sections: The Orchestra, The Music and Its Makers, and Beyond the Concert Hall. The Orchestra gives detailed information about each instrument and its family, with a special emphasis on one from each section (violin, clarinet, and trumpet), a two-page spread about different types of wood used to make wooden instruments, an explanation of acoustics, and a nod to the Wiener Musikverein in Vienna, lauded by acoustics experts as “the concert hall with the greatest sound quality in the world” (makes me want to go listen to a concert there!). The Music and Its Makers gives readers a crash course in music notation and highlights a handful of musicians and their famous works. The selections seem random and disconnected (Hildegard von Bingen, Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, Amy Beach, Holst’s The Planets, Duke Ellington, etc.), so I’d be curious to know what was behind the choices. Beyond the Concert Hall covers topics as disparate as mythology of music, opera, cinematic music, technology, and more. The book concludes with a call to readers to get involved, ending with the suggestion to try creating your own orchestra. Illustrations by David Doran give the book a vintage poster feel, and indeed many of the sections and pages could stand alone as a poster or infographic. An interesting, albeit scattered, book that music students might enjoy perusing in small chunks of time.

[Lucy Kirby · Rating 2 out of 5]

While the illustrations are very beautiful, they are not always accurate. Many postures of the musicians in this were incorrect which felt like an oversight in a book trying to teach about the orchestra. I also had questions about the facts that were included, and the prominent information that was left out. While I value music education, this did not do the job I was hoping it would.

[Annese · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well done!

[Anita · Rating 2 out of 5]

There's a lot of things to like about this book. But I can't forgive it for completely omitting Bach. It's a library copy, and I have checked a few times just to be absolutely sure that some pages hadn't been ripped out.

But no, Bach did not even get a passing mention. He's too influential in Western music to completely ignore him while giving a two page spread to Holst, and even a nod to Mendelssohn. Both great composers, sure, but Bach is far and away the more historically important figure. A referrential book on western orchestras, even a short hipster one, is not complete without Bach.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book!!!!

[Willow]

Skimmed this and plan to use it in elementary grades with my youngest. A great resource for music history and appreciation!

[Elisabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic introduction to orchestras and music for kids!