The Wannabe Classical Music Aficionado

46 Insights to Make Your Next Concert a More Enjoyable Experience

Drawing on more than thirty-five years on stage with the New York Philharmonic, violinist Allan Schiller shares 46 practical, insider insights that reveal what really happens in the concert hall—and how to listen with greater ease and pleasure.

You’ll learn how to read a concert program, when to clap, what conductors actually communicate without words, why zoning out is part of real listening, and how centuries of musical tradition quietly shape what you hear today.

Along the way, Schiller blends lived experience, backstage stories, and plain-spoken wisdom that turns formality into invitation.

Whether it’s your first concert or your fiftieth, this book helps classical music feel less like a mystery—and more like your own seat in the hall.

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 built a remarkable life in music spanning continents, generations, and some of the world’s greatest concert stages.

Today, he draws on those decades of experience to welcome readers into classical music with confidence, curiosity, and joy.

Ann Marie Sabath

Creator of The Wannabe Series and author of twelve books, Ann Marie Sabath brings decades of experience translating complex subjects into accessible, engaging narratives.

As the guiding voice behind The Wannabe Classical Music Aficionado, Sabath helps distill the world of classical music for readers seeking insight, context, and practical tips for appreciating it.