THE IMPORTANCE OF MUSIC

Well known popularizer, educator, and critic, Man of Music Sigmund Spaeth continues with his thirty-second book in the field to comment on music in our times. In a relaxed delivery, he discusses the importance of music, as he sees it an essential of civilization, in its many guises -- popular and classical, amateur and professional, performed and experienced. Random brief essay titles include The Teaching of Music, Opera in English, Gifts that Provide Music, In Defense of Popular Music -- and contain Mr. Spaeth's benevolent but definite opinions on the good and bad, on the place of performer and listener, amateur and professional. Concerned with the musical life of the country, Mr. Spaeth talks not to the initiated musician or audience but to the average music listener, a growing breed. Reasonable library fare.