Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Classical Music But Were Too Afraid To Ask

Are you unsure of the difference between an alto and a contralto?
Ever wondered exactly how a trumpet’s valves work?
Or where Beethoven got his magisterial inspiration from, despite being profoundly deaf?

Drawing on the unparalleled expertise of Classic FM, Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Classical Music… But Were Afraid to Ask dives underneath the sheet music to bring the world of classical music to life.
Perfect for beginners and intermediates alike – as well as revealing some hidden treasures that even experts will be surprised by – Darren Henley’s witty and knowledgeable writing offers insights into the composition of an orchestra, the workings of its instruments and the lives and creativity of composers both old and new.
Charting the development of classical music through its composers and their eras, it is a perfect easy-to-pick-up-and-read gift or the self-purchase that means you need never fear getting your librettos and arias mixed up at the opera again.

‘Drawing from their vast experience in making classical music available, Mssrs. Henley and Jackson have crafted a thoroughly enjoyable work that is of value both to the newcomer to classical music as well as the more seasoned aficionado. They approach the subject with both a love of music and a strong awareness of the reluctance many people have to become involved with this musical form … a relaxed, informative, and eminently enjoyable introduction to the field of classical music.’ –Donald F Calbreath, New York Journal of Books