{"product_id":"language-of-the-spirit-an-introduction-to-classical-music-9780465097548","title":"Language of the Spirit: An Introduction to Classical Music","description":"\u003cb\u003eA preeminent composer, music scholar, and biographer presents an engaging and accessible introduction to classical music\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e For many of us, classical music is something serious -- something we study in school, something played by cultivated musicians at fancy gatherings. In \u003ci\u003eLanguage of the Spirit\u003c\/i\u003e, renowned music scholar Jan Swafford argues that we have it all wrong: classical music has something for everyone and is accessible to all. Ranging from Gregorian chant to Handel's \u003ci\u003eMessiah\u003c\/i\u003e, from Vivaldi's \u003ci\u003eThe Four Seasons\u003c\/i\u003e to the postmodern work of Philip Glass, Swafford is an affable and expert guide to the genre. He traces the history of Western music, introduces readers to the most important composers and compositions, and explains the underlying structure and logic of their music. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ci\u003eLanguage of the Spirit\u003c\/i\u003e is essential reading for anyone who has ever wished to know more about this sublime art.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eJan Swafford\u003c\/b\u003e is a preeminent composer and music scholar and the author of bestselling \u003ci\u003eThe Vintage Guide to Classical Music\u003c\/i\u003e. A regular contributor to \u003ci\u003eSlate\u003c\/i\u003e, the \u003ci\u003eGuardian\u003c\/i\u003e, and the \u003ci\u003eBoston Globe\u003c\/i\u003e and a former professor of composition at the Boston Conservatory, Swafford lives in Medford, Massachusetts.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Basic Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50904313856274,"sku":"9780465097548","price":41.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_678a14b7-ae1f-4cc7-843d-b5c77c0d108f.jpg?v=1738514071","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/language-of-the-spirit-an-introduction-to-classical-music-9780465097548","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}