When he began to listen to the great works of classical music as a child, Anthony Tommasini had many questions. Why did a particular piece move him? How did the music work? And who established the pantheon of composers? Now Chief Classical Music Critic for the New York Times, Tommasini offers his own personal guide to the canon and evaluates what greatness really means in classical music. With infectious enthusiasm, Tommasini shares his appreciation for Bach, Monteverdi, Mozart, Beethoven, Wagner, and Debussy, among others, making the case for classical music as a living artform rather than the record of a dead past.

"Every case [Tommasini] makes is convincingly argued, and his style is accessible without being patronizing.... It's a superb read."—BBC Music Magazine