This authoritative volume provides a beautifully illustrated guide to the most influential composers of classical music. Starting from medieval times, the book gives detailed biographies covering the life and times of each composer, listing their most important works and placing them in their historical context. There are over 100 individual entries, from the pre-eminent Bach, Mozart and Beethoven, continuing up to modern composers such as Carter, Boulez and Stockhausen. The entries are accompanied by portraits or photographs of each composer, illustrations of the places where they lived and worked, and examples of their original manuscripts.