Music Books in general

This is more or less the standard history of music text on most degree courses, and has been for ever and ever amen. It's only a skeleton history of music. By which I mean that it only includes what are supposed to be the forming points in the development of western art music. Thus it deals only with those composers who revolutionised the language, rather than the craftsmen who inevitably follow and exploit those revolutions. So you get to read about Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven in the Classical period, but not about Stamitz, or at least not at any great length. And obviously, as it moves into the 20th century, where it still isn't necessarily too clear ...

This is a sound reference book for anyone studying Music History. Although it has several ommissions of more obscure composers, and only goes up to early 20th Century, it is useful if you you want to see how a particular composer was placed in relation to era, contemporaries, musical development, etc. A History of Western Music is a large, heavy book, although it is now out in paperback, which has improved the whole weight thing. New editions are constantly coming out, but although this alters page numbers, the essence and content is basically identical. Retailing at about £17, this is a pricey book, and may not be worth your while - ...