Reviews for Declassified : a low-key guide to the high-strung world of classical music

Book list
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Declassified transforms what many perceive as the complex, enigmatic, even exclusionary genre of classical music into a dazzling, hilarious, and uniquely awe-inspiring reading and listening adventure. Synchronizing autobiographical details with her vast knowledge of the field, accomplished violinist Rauch covers it all, from influential musical forms (the term “classical” is very misleading, she says) to the innovative minds and personal lives of composers to mischievous reports on the quirks and idiosyncrasies of soloists and orchestral musicians. Writing for those who are not musically trained, Rauch describes how to listen and why we should listen to this exquisite music and when to clap in a live performance. She even drops a few viola jokes! In vulnerable and intimate detail, Rauch also considers her time at Julliard. Grueling hours of practice, competition with her violinist ex-fiancé, and the precision required to be a professional musician were draining and deleterious. In her journey, the pressure for perfection was a “parasitic force” that took over things she “used to appreciate and love about music.” Ultimately, Rauch leads readers and herself back to what matters most, hearing and absorbing the expression, artistic excellence, and transcendence revealed in classical music. Cue vigorous applause and a standing ovation because Declassified is an enchanting and exhilarating tour de force. Encore!


Publishers Weekly
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Insisting that classical music isn’t merely for snobs, former professional violinist Rauch teaches readers “how to hear and truly appreciate” the art form in her scrupulous debut. In addition to attempting to dispel common stereotypes—from the “type A violinists to the rowdy, bald, brass-playing fraternity brothers of the orchestra”—the Juilliard graduate offers insight on musical terms, composition choices, concert etiquette, and shares a brief history of prodigious musicians ranging from Mozart to contemporary late-bloomer Yo-Yo Ma (“He’s often referred to as a prodigy... but there’s a recording of him performing at a benefit concert when he was seven—and at that age, he wasn’t one”). She also dives into the darker side of classical music training, weaving in unsparing details of the extremes she went to, to ensure her success at Juilliard: “I once drank a whole liter of unsweetened, undiluted cranberry juice because I was peeing blood and I would have had to give up my practice room... to seek medical attention.” While she acknowledges that violinists “struggle with arrogance,” her acerbic humor unwittingly illustrates the fact: in one instance, Rauch sums up Juilliard’s renown as “great because it means I can go around using its name to intimidate my kids’ sing-along instructors.” This insider’s look at a rarefied world is sure to intrigue music lovers. (Oct.)


Library Journal
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Part-musical memoir, part-sardonic introduction to classical music, this rollicking read by touring classical violinist Warsaw-Fan Rauch is both entertaining and educational. The author takes readers by the hand, describing types of compositions, how the works are divided, and a thorough list of pieces (and even parts of pieces) to listen to, to better understand what classical music is—the pop music of its time. "You've been told by society's subtle and not-so-subtle cues, that classical music is stuffy and boring and intellectual—and Not for You," she writes. "Well, I'm here to tell you that nothing could be further from the truth." The delicious pun in the book's title is intriguing: Most people reading the word "declassified" would probably think of secret government documents becoming available after a period of time. However, many things can be classified, which—by definition—means grouped. Books in a library, sets of elements on the periodic table, and yes, musical instruments can be organized—"classified"—by the role they play in the ensemble. VERDICT Sure to be a popular read for lovers and practitioners of music of all kinds. A must-have for public and academic libraries, especially at conservatories.—Virginia Johnson

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