Evenings with the Orchestra: A Norton Companion for Concertgoers (First)

I've had this book with me ever since I was a child. The reason being is because I listened to a lot classical music as a kid. In this book there are dozens of composers listed from Bach to Webern and it tells you about their lives, shows some of their greatest compoistions, when they were written, published, written for, and how long they are and tells stories about each composition, too. This is what the bulk of the book is. It also includes musical theory, the proper behavior and apparel for a concert and some famous orchestras and conductors. This is something you must have if you're a big classical music fan. The only flaw this book has is not every composer is listed, for example Fernando Sor and the ones who didn't compose numerous pieces like Haydn, Mozart, Bach, Beethoven, and the countless others. Definitive!

Writing as a librarian, former music major, and classical music lover, I believe I can honestly say that "Evenings with the Orchestra" is one of the best, most readable guides to the whole classical music experience I've ever read. Everything, from proper concert hall behavior, to the great composers and their most often-heard works, to profiles of the great orchestras and conductors, is discussed in a straightforward, fascinating style. If you're a beginning classical music lover, this book will be an invaluable guide. If you're experienced with the classics, this book will only serve to enhance your enjoyment. Highly recommended!