Performing arts for beginners

20th-century classical music 101

IF you're a novice in classical music appreciation, there's no better way to expand your knowledge quickly - and pleasurably - than to attend the excellent series of concerts given by the London Sinfonietta.

Last year, the London Sinfonietta gave a much-acclaimed series of concerts at London's Southbank Centre called The Rest Is Noise, a title taken from the 2007 best-seller written by The New Yorker's music critic, Alex Ross.

The concerts took the audiences through a sweeping odyssey of classical music in the 20th centu…