Thomas Ades is a dominant force in contemporary music, whose work attracts significant attention and acclaim, and has been performed by many renowned ensembles. This volume - the first to present a range of scholarly essays on every aspect of Ades's music - offers authoritative accounts of Ades's major compositions from a variety of analytical, critical, cultural and historical perspectives. The opening chapters focus on Ades's earlier music, offering close readings of key works. Further essays focus on his engagement with forms and instrumental genres. The final chapters turn to Ades's texted music and highlight how themes introduced in earlier chapters cut across Ades's entire output. Richly illustrated with musical examples and supported by further online material, this book provides a multi-faceted portrait of Ades's work that opens up new ways of thinking about, and engaging with, his music.