The Encyclopedia of Music: Instruments of the Orchestra and Great Composers / Wendy Thompson and Max Wade-Matthews (Hermes House, 2002) Paperback, 512 p. ISBN 9781843094364

The Encyclopedia of Music covers Western "classical" music from ancient civilizations to the present day in a single volume. It gives an overview of music history with the common division into periods, gives biographical information about important composers in each period, and describes hundreds of musical instruments. Averaging more than two illustrations per page, it gives the eyes a real treat.

The most authoritative encyclopedia, The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, now comprises 29 volumes in its print version. Obviously The Encyclopedia of Music does not have the same value for serious research. As with all one-volume encyclopedias, really knowledgeable people may quibble about why some entries are so much shorter than others or why others are not included at all.

On the other hand, The Encyclopedia of Music fills a different need. It provides a good overview of the subject for people with little or no prior knowledge. While not college music major material, it has plenty of meat in it for a high school survey class. Not all students learning band or orchestra instruments have the opportunity to take a survey class. Too many give up music after graduation, or even drop out of music earlier.  A beautifully produced book like The Encyclopedia of Music may encourage students to develop a deeper and more personal interest.  

Out of the classroom, The Encyclopedia of Music is just the kind of thing for people who love the music and want more background. It includes all of the composers and instruments most likely to appear on concerts, recordings, or radio broadcasts. It provides a solid foundation for further exploration and convenient ready reference. The All-Purpose Guru Alert offers carefully chosen books like this one at bargain prices, featuring one title every day. Stop by regularly to see what's new, and don't forget to check the past offers.

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