Language of the Spirit

An Introduction to Classical Music

By: Jan Swafford

Narrated by: Tom Perkins

For many of us, classical music is something serious - something we study in school, something played by cultivated musicians at fancy gatherings.

In Language of the Spirit, 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 Messiah, from Vivaldi's The Four Seasons 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 listeners to the most important composers and compositions, and explains the underlying structure and logic of their music.

Language of the Spirit is essential listening for anyone who has ever wished to know more about this sublime art.

©2017 Jan Swafford (P)2017 Tantor

Critic reviews

" Language of the Spirit includes an array of unpretentious, charming anecdotes, stories once universally known but (Mr. Swafford suspects) now need retelling. His book is perfect for people who are curious about classical music but feel somewhat intimidated by it." ( Wall Street Journal)

Life altering: opens the door to a world apart

Jan Swafford opens the door to a world apart in LANGUAGE OF THE SPIRIT. Even if one is not a musician, after reading this book, classical music will make sense. A book about music, unaccompanied by actual music, requires a mastery of language. Jan Swafford possesses that mastery. He describes the quality and impact of musical triumphs and musical missteps. As a composer himself, he introduces his personal experiences with musical landmarks. He makes the reader appreciate that music has been a life altering passion for him and that it can be equally life altering for his readers. Jan Swafford comes across as a man you’d enjoy chatting with on a long train journey.

Great intro to various important composers & works

Listen to this audio book with pen and paper nearby to track suggested listening. insight into the lives of the composers is what I enjoyed most. The breakdown of individual works felt very dry if I wasn't familiar with them. Ideally I would love to listen to this book as I sit in front of a computer so I could access the music as its referenced. Overall very informative and enjoyable.

Very Broad Strokes

Sense of history is somewhat mixed, observations pointed and explained (most of the time), but this is very broad and best for beginners. The narrator's pronunciation is so questionable it becomes comic at times.

Historical facts well presented

As a lover of music, especially of the Classical, a roque and Renaissance periods, I enjoyed this book and learned a lot.