DECLASSIFIED A Low-Key Guide to the High-Strung World of Classical Music

Arianna Warsaw-Fan Rauch is exuberant and irreverent in both writing and voice. Her love of classical music has gone full circle; she loved it as a child and loves it now. But in the period between, when she was a professional classical violinist, music became a competition that sucked out its joy. Rauch's voice is full of life, sardonic wit, and relatability that make this audiobook wholeheartedly entertaining and educational--in a sneaky sense. She wants listeners to love this music, too, and reminds us that "classical music" contains multitudes. She loves Bach--Dad is better than the sons--but detests medieval music because she finds it dark and depressing. It's a pity that musical clips aren't incorporated, but the accompanying pdf has lots of musical suggestions and tips. A.B. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine [Published: JANUARY 2023]