Tchaikovsky: A Listener's Guide.(Book review)

* Tchaikovsky: A Listener's Guide, by Daniel Felsenfeld. Amadeus Press (www.amadeuspress.com; (800) 637-2852), 2006. 118pp. $27.95.

Daniel Felsenfeld's new book Tchaikovsky: A Listener's Guide is another book in the series Unlocking the Masters published by Amadeus Press. The objective of the books in this series is precisely what the tide implies--to give the listener tools to be more effective as a listener, and in this task, Felsenfeld has succeeded in a big way. This book is intended for the novice and expert alike, and is written in a non-academic style that is immensely readable and, at least in the case of this reader, hard to put down.

The book is accompanied by two CDs with performances of the works that are discussed. Felsenfeld suggests that one first listen without the aid of the book--the "blow-by-blow" descriptions as he puts it--to develop one's own opinion of the work being discussed. Only after some familiarity with the work does he suggest that you listen while following the text with the blow-by-blow accounts of what's happening. (One is easily able to follow these accounts because of the inclusion of exact timings.) Finally, he recommends listening again without the aid of the text. At this point, he suggests, whether one likes the piece or not, an educated opinion is formed.

Felsenfeld has chosen to focus only on orchestral works--"the works by which we know him [Tchaikovsky] best" as he puts it, and includes in his discussions the Romeo and Juliet Overture, The 4th and 6th Symphonies, Concerto for Violin, 1812 Overture, Serenade for Strings in C Major, and the Nutcracker. A wonderful aspect of this book is that one can read it in any order, and can ...