Stanley Sadie (1)

While the Preface denies any attempt to be a "concise version" of the 20-volume NEW GROVE DICTIONARY (1980), it does cover the central ground of composers, performers, instruments, terminology, genres, and resources available to the Music world. Lovely things said, without loss of that "reference work" perspective, about controversial and tragic figures. For example, the Berlioz entry actually brings me to tears. But it is unintended.
What you get from this "encyclopedic" work is the show more impression of complexity and seriousness. You get trees. What you do not get is the forest -- Big Picture. For example, very few composers were financially successful. They get their names in this book, but few of them ended comfortably -- the wonderful exceptions, of course, prove the rule: Rossini, Verdi, Wagner, Puccini, Massenet, and even Brahms, Sibelius, Gluck and Handel. However, even the "greatest" were not much rewarded by their peers -- Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Tchaikovski, Schubert, Berlioz.
The academic lexicography of George Grove provides authority, and that same aristocratic dimension of distortion, to the entries. show less

This book can be used as a reference, or be read from beginning to end, or both. If someone wants to have ONE book on Western Classical Music, this is it. With generous illustrations (both art and music samples), it is a very clear reference, explaining the overall development of music, and with specific entries for individual composers. For each composer there is a short account of his (mostly his) life, a very useful summary of his works, and characteristics of his music. There are some show more technical analytical examples, and a list of Further Listening. It is an excellent Account. For a History proper one should turn to Lang or certainly to Taruskin. show less

A fantastic reference about all things Opera. Arranged chronologically, it explains the main developments in opera over the years, with sections on the major and not so well known composers and their works, with recommended recordings, and text boxes that note pieces that have become well known through use in the popular media.

Despite its wealth of information, this book is missing something - while there is a synopsis for the operas mentioned, there is not a list of what voices the major show more roles are in - that Violetta is a soprano for instance. There are recommended recordings for some, but even then the only way your will know is if you know that the singer in the recommendation is of a certain voice. Something like this would be very helpful. show less

This is a gorgeous coffee table book! The pictures are lush and the text amusing and informational. The layout of the book is aesthetically pleasing. Although, quite large it is a solid reference book but doesn't offer much more than a general overview and small anecdotes.