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Sheinbaum illumines the musical attributes that have traditionally been used to define masterpieces in the Western classical tradition and demonstrates that they do no such thing. Through detailed analyses of well-known compositions in both the classical and vernacular traditions, he shows that such qualities as seriousness, organic unity, and originality, while often positive traits, cannot and do not serve to isolate classical compositions from popular musics, nor are they sufficient to the identification of masterpieces within either tradition. This is an important and useful book and a must-read for anyone still tempted to declare the overarching superiority of a single composer or style. --Ellen T. Harris, MIT John Sheinbaum challenges us to re-think our ideas about what makes any work of music 'good.' It's not about taste but values, and Good Music shows how those values transcend all kinds of music, from Handel and Beethoven to Miles Davis, the Beatles, and progressive rock. --Mark Evan Bonds, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Good Music is an even-handed, deeply humane, optimistic take on the perennial issue of music and value in the West. --Robert Fink, University of California, Los Angeles

Sheinbaum illumines the musical attributes that have traditionally been used to define masterpieces in the Western classical tradition and demonstrates that they do no such thing. Through detailed analyses of well-known compositions in both the classical and vernacular traditions, he shows that such qualities as seriousness, organic unity, and originality, while often positive traits, cannot and do not serve to isolate classical compositions from popular musics, nor are they sufficient to the identification of masterpieces within either tradition. This is an important and useful book and a must-read for anyone still tempted to declare the overarching superiority of a single composer or style. --Ellen T. Harris, MIT Here's a new take on what makes Handel great, with fine-toothed-comb analyses from Beethoven to The Beatles, and a passionate case for a collaborative, participatory approach to making music. It's a persuasive argument for reappraising how we integrate this beloved art into our lives. --BBC Music Magazine Good Music dives into the artistic core of a vast array of works -- everything from Miles Davis' Kind of Blue to Bruce Springsteen's The Rising and the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. All of these defy the generalizations associated with their categories. They're not formulaic but highly original and innovative. Like their classical counterparts, Sheinbaum says, they're thought pieces that reward deep thinking while providing satisfying entertainment. By the same token, classical genres often offer more than just cerebral stimulation--they can, Sheinbaum insists, 'be explored for how they engage the whole person.' --University of Denver Feature Profile John Sheinbaum challenges us to re-think our ideas about what makes any work of music 'good.' It's not about taste but values, and Good Music shows how those values transcend all kinds of music, from Handel and Beethoven to Miles Davis, the Beatles, and progressive rock. --Mark Evan Bonds, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Good Music is an even-handed, deeply humane, optimistic take on the perennial issue of music and value in the West. --Robert Fink, University of California, Los Angeles

Author Information

John J. Sheinbaum is associate professor of musicology and associate director for academic affairs at the University of Denver's Lamont School of Music.

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