Includes bibliographical references and index.

The development of music -- Reading music -- Harmony, chords, and tonality -- Musical structure -- Musical terms -- Musical genres and forms -- The conductor -- The orchestra, orchestration, and orchestral instruments -- Pianos, pipe organs, and harps -- Operas and oratorios -- The Renaissance, Baroque, and Classical eras -- The Romantic and Modern eras -- The great composers of the Renaissance -- The great composers of the Baroque era -- The great composers of the Classical era -- The great composers of the Romantic era -- The great nineteenth-century nationalist and Russian composers -- The great composers of the Post-Romantic period -- The great modern and contemporary composers -- Other great modern composers -- Trends in experimental and contemporary music -- Music appreciation.