The New York Times Essential Library: Classical Music: A Critic's Guide to the 100 Most Important Recordings

by Allan Kozinn

A dazzling appraisal of the definitive classical music performances available today

For classical music lovers, there is nothing more beguiling and exciting than the range of technique and emotion that can capture or transform the great works in the hands of a conductor and musicians. But with hundreds of recordings released every year, discovering the jewels is a challenge, for newcomers as well as for connoisseurs.
New York Times classical music critic Allan Kozinn offers the ultimate collector's guide, packed with a rich history of the composers and performers who stir our souls. From Bach's eloquent Goldberg Variations performed by master pianist Glenn Gould at the beginning and end of his career in startlingly different interpretations, to a lyrical performance of Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherezade conducted by Kiril Kondrashin shortly after his defection from the Soviet Union, Kozinn places each work in the greater context of musical development and stretches the listener's understanding of each pivotal composition. These original essays on the one hundred greatest recorded classical works provide both practical guidance for building a library and deep insight into the transcendent power of music itself.

Genres: Music, Reference, Classical Music

384 pages, Paperback

First published August 2, 2004

Reviews

[Baard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb writing about the most important classical recordings. I recommend putting on your headphones and listen to the music as you read this book. This book is an incredible resource for anyone interested in classical music. It provides a comprehensive guide to the most important recordings, featuring information on the composers, music, and performers. The author has done an excellent job of researching and presenting the material in an organized and accessible manner. It is a great book for both those new to the genre and experienced listeners. Highly recommended!

[Ed · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love books like this, that attempt to choose and review the "best" of some category, in this case, classical music recordings. Even if my own tastes are largely at odds with the critical consensus, I always learn something that sticks in the mind or even have the incentive to reconsider my own opinion or sample something new if the opportunity arises.