Approaching four centuries of Western classical music in manageable 50-year sections, Jon Paxman's monumental overview traces the evolution of music from the Renaissance to the end of the 20th century, with particular attention to genres and the composers' nationalities. Illustrated throughout with hundreds of photos and reproductions of art, the book features a parallel chronology that goes into great detail, charting important milestones in the lives of individual composers, conductors, and performers, along with an extensive glossary.

"A great reference tool for anyone who wants to explore the history of music."—Philip Glass