If you are contemplating a trip to Europe, Classical Destinations: An Armchair Guide to Classical Music by Matt Wills should not be missed. This book which is based on a PBS television series, is a sweeping photographic travelogue and discussion of classical music's significant European cities and their composers. As you peruse these pages and learn about the architecture, the history and tourist spots, your imagination will take flight as you visualize Vivaldi scurrying around Venice tending to his duties as priest, music teacher, violinist, and composer, or contemplate the development of Mozart's genius by his father Leopold in the family's third floor apartment at Getreidegasse 9 in Salzburg.
The book is organized by country with notable facts about the major composers as well as useful visitor information about the area. It can enhance one's journey with the color photographs, musical treats and special ways that the composers influenced the cities where they resided and touched the lives of their inhabitants. Even if you do not travel, it can whet your appetite for future study and enjoyment.
A different perspective of music in Europe during the 18th century may be gotten from Daniel Heartz's Music in European Capitals:The Galant Style, 1720-1780. This scholarly exploration of the capital cities which were paramount in the genesis and spread of music of that era, contains black-and-white and color depictions of various composers associated with a particular city as well as numerous musical examples. The author documents his work with specialized studies that demonstrate the cultural, economic, and social background of a region. This academic treasure will challenge all readers.
Should you wish to enhance your reading experience, the Library has the music of many of the composers mentioned in both books including Johann Sebastian Bach, Antonin Dvorak, Felix Mendelssohn or Modeste Mussorgsky.