An Introduction to Classical Music, Interactive CD-ROM for IBM PC and Compatibles
Russell Ε. Murray
By and large, musical hypermedia programs have tended to explore individual works. Typically, such a package will comprise an essay providing cultural background the piece biographical information about composer, along with guided reading (or readings) of work. In addition, glossary tied highlighted words in text provides definitions often examples. Aimed at broad audience, these might be seen as popular monographs appreciated number levels. More recently, potential CD-ROM formats has been utilized for presentations entire repertories one sort or another, especially college music appreciation textbooks. These usually provide simple listening guides pieces recorded anthology are keyed charts textbook. two formats, first narrative second reportorial, begin meet newer applications that take advantage ability (linear nonlinear) hypermedia's book/cardstack metaphor unencumbered possibilities combining multiple performances on single CD. Robert Winter demonstrates this his Crazy Ragtime (Calliope Media, 1996), which history genre is explored musically culturally. The items trader review participate new trend. They share common purpose, serving introduction repertory by form accompanied excerpts works guide user more extended listening. There much promise approach, exploring carefully delineated repertories, can envision composer's output career performer explorations historic stylistic repertories. But case, early attempts may fail live up medium's potential, any reasons. Such case items. At same time, their failures say limitations genre. Attica's An Introduction modest packages, designed, its producers, highly pleasurable way world classical program divided into six discrete sections: Introductory Guide, Performance, Composition, Composer, Timeline, Index. Guide quick overview Classical music. It essentially static electronic slide show: representative paintings drawings narration background. no navigate within section save pause move next screen. One go selection being played, but cannot then reenter where it was left. core elements Composition Composer sections. sections made screens composer works, list recommended (with marked accessible) listing all composers disc (also accessible). Performance designed virtual concert hall. reader 909 choosing combination periods, composers, genres. played either randomly chronologically. During performance, listener views painting generic European hall while title appear American users doubt associate late night advertisements phone-order World's Most Beloved Music recordings. apt association, given stultifyingly dull nature performances. one- two-minute fadeouts, some one-minute condensations movements (e.g., fifty-nine arrangement movement Mozart's Symphony G minor, K. …
Notes