A book which is an eye- and ear-opener with regard to musical contexts unknown to many music lovers. Stefan Schaub shows an easy way of how even complex musical works become accessible step by step and without any academic efforts. Major symphonies from Haydn to Shostakovitch are described and analysed in a clear and comprehensible way, based on the example of the sonata form. Thus, the music can be actively experienced through more conscious perception, and the knowledge of structures and contexts increases the pleasure of listening. Being rather an exercise book than a book for reading, this book including sound examples on two CDs provides many ideas and suggestions, thereby awakening the reader's delight in details.

Vorwort - Einleitung - Was ist ein Aktiv-Hörer - Warum die Sonatenform - Geschichte und Modell der Sonatenform - Ist Analyse erlaubt - J. Haydn: Sinfonie Nr. 104, 1. Satz - F. Schubert: Große C-Dur-Sinfonie, 1. Satz - H. Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique, 1. Satz - R. Schumann: Sinfonie Nr. 1 Frühlingssinfonie, 1. Satz - A. Bruckner: Sinfonie Nr. 4 Romantische, 1. Satz - J. Brahms: Sinfonie Nr. 4, 4. Satz, Finale - P. Tschaikowsky: Sinfonie Nr. 6 Pathétique, 1. Satz - G. Mahler: Sinfonie Nr. 6, 4. Satz, Finale - Die Sonatenform im Neoklassizismus - Nachwort - Literatur - Glossar - CDs/Klangbeispiele