The Wannabe Classical Music Aficionado
46 Insights to Make Your Next Concert a More Enjoyable Experience
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Description
Awards & Endorsements
Author(s)
Allan Schiller
Related Titles
| Publisher | Soncata Press |
| Publication | Sep 01, 2026 |
| Format | Paperback/Softback |
| ISBN | 9798999315748 |
| Pages | 272 |
| Age | Adult 18+ |
| Price | 19.99 |
The Wannabe Classical Music Aficionado
46 Insights to Make Your Next Concert a More Enjoyable Experience
STEP INSIDE—THE MUSIC IS WAITING FOR YOU.
For many listeners, classical music is both beautiful and intimidating. People love the sound of an orchestra, yet quietly wonder: Am I listening the right way? When do I clap? What is the conductor actually doing?
In The Wannabe Classical Music Aficionado, longtime New York Philharmonic violinist Allan Schiller opens the doors to the concert hall and invites readers inside.
Drawing on thirty-five years performing with the New York Philharmonic, beginning in the era of Leonard Bernstein, Schiller shares the insights, stories, and listening tips that musicians know but audiences are rarely told. With warmth, clarity, and gentle humor, he explains how to understand what you are hearing, how orchestras work, and how even newcomers can experience the full emotional power of classical music.
Whether you are attending your first symphony concert or deepening a lifelong love of music, The Wannabe Classical Music Aficionado is a welcoming companion that will help you listen with confidence, curiosity, and joy.
Reviews, Awards & Endorsements
Endorsements from Top Classical Musicians, Authors and the Media
“From the removal of trepidation to the debunking of mystique, Maestro Schiller generously extends a welcoming hand to anyone curious about classical music. Calling his chapters ‘insights’ makes clear he is more than qualified to open the window to one of the world’s richest art forms. Anyone reading this marvelous book - the newest and best of its kind - will be able to approach classical music with eager and confident anticipation,” - David Finkel and Wu Han, cellist and pianist, artistic co-directors, the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center
”A wonderful guide to both lifelong listeners and curious newcomers.” -Glenn Dicterow, Former Concertmaster of the New York Philharmonic
”The Wannabe Classical Music Aficionado is a deeply personal yet informative read that offers an insightful, digestible and comprehensive look at classical music for both the initiated and the uninitiated. A truly fascinating read that I highly recommend.” -Francisco Salazar, Co-President & Publisher of OperaWire
Endorser
“I wish I had this book as I took my first steps into the world of Classical music! It’s the perfect little classical music almanac - welcoming anyone and everyone into a world that is often seen as “elitist.” It has just the amount of charmingly written information to make a newcomer feel welcome, but also prepared and excited for what this world can offer. Will definitely be recommending this book!”
—Molly Carr, Violist, Juilliard Quartet Founder & Artistic Director, Project: Music Heals Us
Endorser
“Allan Schiller has just written the perfect book for music lovers of all genres. I’ve been a violinist for over 40 years and enjoyed learning something new. This book is a must for any musician.” —Brendan N. Slocumb, New York Times Bestselling Author of Dark Maestro, Symphony of Secrets and The Violin Conspiracy
“…A comprehensive and warmly inviting book that will fill a much-needed niche in the concert-going world”
Kathy Greene, Violist, New York Philharmonic
Author
Allan Schiller
Allan Schiller is a retired violinist of The New York Philharmonic, where he performed from 1964 to 1999 under legendary conductors including Leonard Bernstein, Zubin Mehta, and Kurt Masur. His musical life began after his family escaped Poland in 1939, when his father gave him his first violin—an act of hope in the shadow of the Holocaust. Raised in Tel Aviv, Paris, and New York, and later a Fulbright recipient in Brussels, Schiller now draws on decades of experience to welcome readers into classical music with confidence, curiosity, and joy.