Listen, 6th Edition

by Joseph Kerman, Gary Tomlinson

Widely praised by instructors for its captivating presentation of musical concepts, this landmark music-appreciation text continues to help transform students into active, insightful listeners. Authors Joseph Kerman and Gary Tomlinson, two of America’s leading musicologists and music educators, are both known as inspirational and wide-ranging teachers. Their diverse experience, lively writing style, and clear explanations of musical concepts make music approachable and engaging for students in the introductory course. Their text continually offers the highest quality recordings, the clearest Listening Charts, and the richest cultural contexts to inform students’ listening. Now the sixth edition of Listen extends its proven approach into the multimedia environment with new music, new media, and a new look, making it easier than ever to discover the best way to listen.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Textbooks, Reference, History, School, College

496 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1972

About the author

Joseph Wilfred Kerman -- born Zukerman -- (1924 - 2014) was an American critic and musicologist. One of the leading musicologists of his generation, his 1985 book Contemplating Music: Challenges to Musicology (published in the UK as Musicology) was described by Philip Brett in The Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians as "a defining moment in the field." He was Professor Emeritus of Musicology at the University of California, Berkeley.

Reviews

[Chris J · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned of this book via Mr. Kerman's NYT obit. According to it, this textbook was, for many years, considered the standard for college music exploration classes. It is masterfully organized and written - skillfully connecting musical periods with corresponding events in history. Read this book!

[King Haddock · Rating 4 out of 5]

This probably is the first textbook I actually have read cover-to-cover.

As far as textbooks go, this one has its usual share of over-obvious information, but Kerman's Listen also includes some interesting facts as well. I got something out of it even as a music major who already knew a bit about Western European music history. The music pieces studied are interesting and good selections, a wide variety of well-known and well-written pieces.

I will say the last few chapters on the Twentieth Century somewhat annoyed me because I felt they were somewhat inaccurate. The division between the "avant-garde" composers like Stravinsky and Schoenberg seemed very arbitrarily separated from composers who wrote in "alternate" styles like Bartok. Excuse me, Stravinsky implemented elements of Russian folk music as well, why didn't you classify him with Bartok? Are Schoenberg and Ives really that different? They both took from traditional musical elements around them and revolutionized the sound landscape. I feel like the authors tried to split the composers into neat groups when the Twentieth Century was really a much more multi-faceted approach and not so two-pronged as they tried to explain it. The authors hardly touched on serialism, at least not in a very clear-cut manner. And why didn't we have sound samples from Messiaen and Milton Babbit?

Aside from the gripes of a musician who loves contemporary classical music, I feel like this book was a good overview into the wide variety of music created in Western Europe over the centuries. Kerman and Tomlinson successfully guide the listener to hearing old classical pieces differently, and understanding the wide differences between periods and genres. It sets one up to continue exploring in the areas they love. My first stops: all that wonderful organum from the Medieval period and the polyphonic choral music of the early Renaissance.

[Jacob Hurley · Rating 3 out of 5]

seems music died a lot earlier than 2011

[Shawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yay, I finished. It's recommended reading for an upcoming exam, and I took note of many of the composers. I liked the graphics & illustrations! It tapped into paintings, philosophies, & movements, providing texts to pieces, poems, & pictures—every other page was a feast for the eyes, from the colorful musical notations on the side, to the Listening Charts that outlined selections of music in a manner that wasn’t overbearing or overly analytical. The analysis is woven throughout every chapter but it doesn’t go TOO deep, e.g. they give a disclaimer that they’ll only cover the twelve-tone theory of atonal music in a brief, general mode. It’s not very long, and it’s edited well. I recommend this particularly for music appreciation, history, and as a guide to a world of western music.

[Naveena Sunkara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this book an an introductory music history class at taught by Prof. Foglesong at UC Berkeley. The text was easy to follow--even for a person with little musical background.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice refresher on music theory.

[Totochelamouche]

In the first millennium C.E., European culture was the
culture of Christianity. All musicians (or at least all musicians
that we know about) were clerics — priests, monks,
or nuns — and all their music was sung in churches, abbeys,
convents, and cathedrals. The function of this music
was to stimulate and enhance worship.

[Mills College Library]

781.17 K39L 2019

[Marta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I took the introductory music history course taught by Prof. Tomlinson at Penn. The book is very approachable (coming from someone with little to no musical background). The chapters include historical details that provide a context for the arts of the time, most importantly music. This makes it an easier, more entertaining read than most textbooks. The listening charts are also a nice touch; they enable the listener to listen actively -as Kerman and Tomlinson want her to- and locate particular points of interest.

The course also gets 5 stars, in case you were wondering.

[Kaelene · Rating 2 out of 5]

I FINALLY FINISHED IT!!! I'm also just really surprised that it's on Goodreads. All in all it's pretty good if you have a genuine interest in music and its history. I did not have that genuine interest, but it was still really informative. I just didn't have the want to or attention span for this. :P

[Ashley Greene · Rating 4 out of 5]

read for a college class --takes the reader through all the periods of music, some were discussed in depth, while others were brushed over. overall a good choice for anyone wanting to learn more about music & its origins.

[columbialion]

Textbook used for Music appreciation class

[Aimee J Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Required text for Music Appreciation... well written, easy read.

[Sab · Rating 3 out of 5]

good book!

[Suzanne Hess · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very educational and informative. Listening to the music and reading the book increased my love for music.

[Mills College Library]

781.17 K39L 2015