This invaluable reference book explores the background to 800 years of musical history - from 12th-century chanting monks to 19th-century virtuoso performers. This brand new edition has been fully revised to include today's iconoclastic composer-artists - and explains the origins and impact of the great classical masterpieces. At the heart of the book are concise biographies of more than 150 composers, accompanied by portraits and illustrations relating to their works. Lively chapter introductions summarize the historical background to the musical eras and reveal the musical mood of each one through its art. Recommended key recordings of central works by each composer, specially selected by the editors of Gramophone magazine, help the reader to build an enduring classical music collection.