Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 5-8-These titles provide fascinating facts about the composers' personal and professional lives. Each book begins with an introduction briefly addressing social issues of the day, historical background, or other significant information to pique readers' interest. Successive chapters discuss the men's early lives, family background, social status, personality characteristics, musical training and education, obstacles or challenges, and influences. A chapter in each title focuses on the musician's well-known compositions, describing through lively and colorful language some of the musical elements employed, as well as the emphasis of their work: opera, piano, string quartet, and symphony. The format and layout are appealing and uncluttered, with good use of color to highlight section topics and direct quotes. Occasional reproductions of artwork and music representative of the period and several text boxes add to the attractive presentations.-Susan Shaver, Hemingford Public Schools, NE (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
