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The A to Z of Classical Music A package comprising a 2 CD set of classical music excerpts drawn from the Naxos collection plus a 564 page CD-sized book, 'The A to Z of Classical Composers' edited by Keith Anderson.   NAXOS 8.555319-20   [CD playing time: 151:22] The cynical critic might dismiss this enterprise as merely a sales promotion tool designed to sell the maximum number of Naxos and Marco Polo titles because all the excerpts are exclusively from these labels. However, the book (in its second expanded edition as the cover proclaims) has genuine merit and is a useful resource especially for those just beginning to explore classical music. It is also of considerable interest to film music enthusiasts for it has 45 pages devoted to 360 films and their source classical music. There is also a useful glossary of musical terms which is not quite as exhaustive as it might be; for instance, if you wanted to know what tessitura means, you would have to look elsewhere. The A to Z composer entries which make up the main body of the book occupy some 450 pages and cover the lives of hundreds of composers from Adolphe Adam to Bernd Zimmerman. Brief biographical notes are followed by a discussion of the main categories of their music. For instance Richard Addinsell's film music is covered and a recommended recording stated all in less than half a page. Haydn, on the other hand, merits a colour portrait and over six pages devoted to his church music, oratorios, stage works, vocal music, orchestral music and chamber music - and, of course many Naxos recordings are mentioned. No problem with this because so many Naxos Haydn recordings are first class - and they are no strain on the pocket either! The author of the book is Keith Anderson familiar to Naxos and Marco Polo fans as the writer of booklet notes for many of their releases particularly for Naxos. Anderson has served as chief editor for Naxos and Marco Polo and associated labels of HNH International since the foundation of the Company. The CDs parallel the book giving 2½ hours of music from the Naxos catalogue. The 38 excerpts are arranged across the two CDs, in chronological order, commencing with Gregorian Chant and Hildegard von Bingen through to works by Britten and Glass. An ideal stocking filler for those new to classical music. Ian Lace	Reviews from previous months You can purchase CDs, tickets and musician's accessories and Save around 22% with these retailers : Concert and Show tickets Musicians accessories
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