Ideal for the beginner and expert alike, this fully-comprehensive, single-volume family reference work is organized chronologically, covering the development of classical music from ancient times to the modern day. The book is divided into eras: Music in Ancient Civilisations; Early European Folk-Song; The Medieval Era; The Renaissance Era; The Early Baroque; Late Baroque and the Classical Era;The Romantic Era;Nationalism and the Romantic Legacy; The Modern Era; and The Late 20th Century. All aspects of each era are covered, with entries on composers, performers, musical developments, historical context and instruments, to give a complete guide to the music of that time and how it was evolving and why. Graphically-led listening guides list the best recordings of the essential compositions and discovery trails also allow the reader to follow a range of thematic routes through the book. The book is designed as a comprehensive introduction to classical music. It can be used as a home-based introduction to the subject, an educational tool, or as a primary academic resource for experts.