"Huh, I think I've heard this music somewhere before?"

If you're just starting to get curious about classical music...
Get to know these 20 composers, and consider yourself officially introduced to classical music!

★★★ Includes: Classical Music Timeline · Basic Terminology Guide · How to Appreciate Classical Music
★★★ Curated Playlists by Mood and Taste

Why is classical music, composed hundreds of years ago, still performed today? Undoubtedly, it's because the beautiful messages within continue to resonate with us. Yet, classical music can often feel difficult to approach. Many assume it's long-winded or boring. With countless compositions and composers, historical contexts, and complex categorizations, the sheer volume of information can feel overwhelming—like an ocean of depth and complexity, leaving one unsure where to begin.

But "All You Need Is This Book to Love Classical Music" is a fun and accessible guide that makes classical music as easy to enjoy as K-POP. This is the first book by classical music storyteller and music educator Tae-Young Kwon (host of the YouTube channel "Taenglog"), who invites readers into the world of classical music through 20 essential composers, from Beethoven to Rachmaninoff.

"More engaging than any Western music history course!"
From cultural literacy to emotional immersion, historical context to philosophical reflection—
A narrative charm that keeps you captivated without even realizing it

The author first advises readers to relax, trust their own taste, and start by exploring composers who pique their interest.

【PART 1. So This Is That Piece? A Formal Introduction to Classical Music】 introduces the charm of classical music through well-known composers like Beethoven, Paganini, Mozart, and Debussy.

【PART 2. Behind the Music: Stories That Make Classical Music More Fascinating】 vividly shares behind-the-scenes stories of geniuses like Bach and Chopin, helping readers understand the music on a deeper level.

【PART 3. Decisive Moments: Music That Resonated with an Era】 focuses on composers who defined or revolutionized their times, allowing readers to enjoy music within the broader context of world history.

【PART 4. Curated Classical Playlists by Mood and Taste】 offers recommendations tailored to different emotions and preferences, bringing readers even closer to classical music.

This book systematically unravels the diverse appeal of classical music, guiding readers to appreciate it in their own unique way. It also gently explains how composers infused their intentions, philosophies, and thoughts into their representative works.

As the saying goes, the more you know, the more you appreciate. While it's possible to enjoy music without any background knowledge, listening with the stories shared by the author will allow classical music to seep more deeply into your life.

The first book by YouTube creator "Taenglog," whose video "The Debussy Gaslight Effect" stirred multiple online communities!
"Be careful—you might not even notice how effortlessly classical music literacy will seep into your mind and soul."

This book is the first by Tae-Young Kwon (YouTube creator "Taenglog"), who gained widespread attention with his viral video "The Debussy Gaslight Effect." Those who discovered classical music through his channel often say:

"I knew nothing about classical music, so why was I so captivated?"

"If he had been my music teacher, my life might have been richer."

"Understanding the background makes it so much easier to immerse myself in classical music."

"His compelling storytelling keeps you engaged without needing to fast-forward or speed up!"

The author, a former elementary school teacher for about four years, is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Music Education at Georgia State University in the U.S. True to his role as a music educator, he approaches classical music from a beginner's perspective, explaining it in a simple and relatable way. Moreover, he recommends music based on individual tastes and moods.

When you want to start your day refreshed:
The seasons unfolding before your eyes — "Vivaldi"
The sensibility of pure, beautiful love — "Elgar"
A free and dreamy atmosphere — "Debussy"

When late-night emotions take over:
Heart-stirring, rich lyricism — "Rachmaninoff"
Passionate and fiery performances — "Paganini"
If you want to delve into melancholy and despair — "Tchaikovsky"

When you crave intellectual enrichment:
Profound reflections on life and death — "Mahler"
A modernist who broke forms and conventions — "John Cage"
Interpreting ideology and the spirit of the times through music — "Shostakovich"

When you need quiet contemplation:
Simple, structured melodies — "Bach"
Music to untangle chaotic thoughts — "Handel"
Exceptional precision, tone, and masterful variations — "Mozart"

Why not set aside the complexities and just start listening? Let the melodies that have comforted countless people over time become a source of joy in your daily life.

"Art is not a solitary pleasure enjoyed in isolation. Rather, it is a vessel for people's joys and sorrows, a medium that connects more people."
— Albert Camus, excerpt from his Nobel Prize in Literature acceptance speech

Tae-Young Kwon

A storyteller and music educator who brings classical music to life through narrative. While studying abroad, he created the YouTube channel 〈Taenglog〉 to share classical music in an engaging way, which has since grown into a platform with over 110,000 subscribers. The channel is dedicated to breaking down the prejudice that "classical music is exclusively for a privileged few," making it accessible and enjoyable for a wider audience.

As a student, he often stayed up late into the night studying for exams, relying on the solace of violin and piano music to keep him going. It was during these moments that he realized the power of music to provide comfort, healing, and escape. This belief in the transformative and educational power of music inspired him to dream of helping children grow and thrive through the joy of music. After graduating from the Gwangju National University of Education with a degree in Music Education, he served as an elementary school teacher for about four years and completed his master's degree at the same university.

Despite his love for music, he found music coursework consistently challenging. Recognizing that this was due to a lack of philosophical grounding and theoretical understanding in the curriculum, he decided to pursue further research. He is currently studying for a Ph.D. in Music Education at Georgia State University in the United States.

This book, "All You Need Is This Book to Love Classical Music," is written for readers who are just beginning to explore the world of classical music. While writing, the author repeatedly reflected on the moments that made him fall in love with classical music, as well as the composers and works that profoundly impacted his life. By understanding the stories behind the music, the lives of the composers, and the historical and ideological contexts of their times, classical music—once perceived as difficult and distant—can become deeply relatable and personal.

【Preface】How to Shed Classical Music's Serious, Formal, and Rigid Image
【Classical Music Timeline】
【Basic Classical Music Terminology Covered in This Book】
【Three Ways to Appreciate Classical Music】

Part 1: So This Is That Piece? A Formal Introduction to Classical Music
[Beethoven] The Story Before Thoughts and Emotions Were Infused into Music
[Paganini & Liszt] Why They Became Idols in the Classical Music World
[Mozart] The Struggles of Mozart as a Freelancer
[Debussy] The Free-Spirited Classical Music "My Way"
[Rachmaninoff] The Birth of Soul-Stirring Masterpieces

Part 2: Behind the Music: Stories That Make Classical Music More Fascinating
[Bach] Could Century-Defining Masterpieces Exist Without Him?
[Handel] Handel’s Musical Career Success: Capturing Public Taste with Precision
[Tchaikovsky] The Final Symphony Intertwined with a Mysterious Death
[Brahms] Where Did His Unrequited Love Lead?
[Chopin] Poetry Composed Solely for the Piano

Part 3: Decisive Moments: Music That Resonated with an Era
[Wagner] Beautiful Dissonance: Opening the Door to Modern Music
[John Cage] Envisioning a World Where Everyone Can Be a Musician
[Shostakovich] Documenting a Dark Era Through Musical Notes
[Dvořák] Melodies of Solace Born from Heartfelt Longing
[Mahler] Depicting the Agony Between Life and Death

Part 4: Curated Classical Playlists by Mood and Taste
[Elgar] If You Wonder What the Power of Love Truly Is
[Vivaldi] The Rock Star of Classical Music: A Pioneer in Naming Music
[Sibelius] Infusing Unique National Identity into Music
[Bizet] The Secrets Hidden Behind Groundbreaking Operas
[Rossini] The Joyful Life of Rossini, the Original "Lying Flat" Advocate

References