March 29, 2024
Updated April 11, 2025
19 minute read
Becoming a Music Critic: A Comprehensive Career Guide
A Music Critic evaluates musical works, performances, and trends, offering informed analysis and commentary. This role involves more than just stating opinions; it requires a deep understanding of music history, theory, and cultural context to provide insightful perspectives that can educate and guide audiences. Critics often publish their work in newspapers, magazines, websites, blogs, or contribute to podcasts and video content.
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Find a path to becoming a Music Critic. Learn more at:
OpenCourser.com/career/b0wit2/music
Reading list
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An invaluable resource for musicians and composers alike, this book offers insights into the essential elements of tempo and rhythm, guiding readers through the intricacies of musical timing.
Focuses specifically on the piano sonatas of Beethoven, providing a detailed analysis of each work. It explores the composer's innovative use of form, harmony, and expression, and offers a deeper understanding of Beethoven's contributions to the genre.
Presents the complete piano sonatas of Frédéric Chopin. It includes critical commentary, performance notes, and musical examples, and is an essential resource for pianists, scholars, and music lovers. It is written in French.
Presents a selection of piano sonatas by Domenico Scarlatti. It includes critical commentary, performance notes, and musical examples, and is an essential resource for pianists, scholars, and music lovers. It is written in Italian.
This seminal work by renowned music historian Richard Taruskin provides a sweeping narrative of 20th-century music, from the rise of modernism to the advent of postmodernism.
Explores the ways in which tempo shapes musical meaning, examining how tempo choices can convey emotion, narrative, and other expressive elements.
A comprehensive exploration of the concept of tempo in Western music, covering its history, evolution, and impact on musical expression and performance.
Provides a historical overview of the piano sonata genre, tracing its development from its origins in the late 16th century to the present day. It explores the evolution of form, style, and technique, and discusses the contributions of major composers.
This multi-volume reference work provides detailed information on composers, performers, genres, and institutions that have shaped American music, including significant coverage of 20th-century figures and movements.
Presents a personal and interpretive guide to piano sonatas. It includes Schiff's insights into the performance of works by Beethoven, Schubert, and Mozart, and offers practical advice on technique, dynamics, and phrasing.
Explores the art of playing piano sonatas effectively. It provides detailed instructions on technique, interpretation, and musical expression, and includes discussions of works by Beethoven, Mozart, and Schubert.
Provides a listener's guide to piano sonatas, offering accessible and engaging introductions to major works by Beethoven, Mozart, and Schubert. It includes musical examples and analysis, and is suitable for both casual listeners and music lovers.
Written by acclaimed jazz musician Wynton Marsalis, this book offers a passionate and informed account of the history and significance of jazz music, including its evolution in the 20th century.
This multi-volume reference work includes extensive coverage of 20th-century opera, providing detailed information on composers, singers, librettists, and works.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/career/b0wit2/music
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