Elliott & Thompson

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.