Book Description In this impressive volume, music critic Paul Griffiths offers a succinct and comprehensive guide to the history, forms, and personalities of classical music Here readers will find: Biographies of thousands of composers from Albinoni to Zappa, with in-depth treatment of major figures Coverage of individual works, including огцъс plot summaries of operas and ballets Articles on the history of music and instruments Entries on musical forms, from medieval plainchant to z contemporary minimalism Clear definitions of technical terms and jargon And much more This is a must for all those interested in the colorful and complex universe of classical music.  Everyda2005 г 912 стр ISBN 0140515593.