GREAT SYMPHONIES:
              HOW TO RECOGNIZE AND REMEMBER THEM
By Sigmund Spaeth, 1936
Hardcover

For students and those who already appreciate the great symphonies, this book reviews great works from many composers, and provides a simple way to remember them by setting simple lyrics to the main themes. 

The author walks through the different themes in the music.  For example, in describing a Beethoven piece, he introduces the first theme, then indicates that "this theme runs along like a merry little brook until it is time for a second theme."  The author then introduces the second theme.  He then describes the second theme as "a passage of ragtime (syncopation) leads to a series of false starts which finally arrive at a complete repetition of the first part."  He then goes on to describe how the themes are combined....  He discusses keys and key changes, syncopation and many other musical affects. 

For purposes of recognizing and remembering the sympohnies, he adds simple lyrics which point to the composer, and maybe the piece or the movement within the piece. For example, one set of lyrics for Hadyn's Surprise Symphony is: "Papa Hadyn wrote this tune, and a chord is coming soon.  It will be a big surprise, open sleepy eyes! Bang!"

The back of the book contains a section of symphonic terms and a section called, "Facts about Symphonic Composers."

This book is in good condition.  See photos.