From its early inception at the French court to modern-day developments and interpretations, ballet has long had a popular following. Packed full of essential information, this pocket-sized handbook explores the history, performers, composers and music, highlighting the very best ballets and the stand-out tracks that should feature in the collection of any aficionado. Classic FM's Handy Guides are a fun and informative set of introductions to standout subjects within classical music, each of which can be read and digested in one sitting: a perfect collectible series whether you're new to the world of classical music or an aficionado.

Which famous composer could play the piano at the age of 2? - How long did it take Rossini to compose The Barber of Seville? - Why was Elgar depicted on the back of a GBP20 note? Find out all this and more in Classic Ephemera: A Classic FM Musical Miscellany, the irresistible new collection of facts, figures and amusing anecdotes from Darren Henley and Tim Lihoreau. Covering everything from composer biographies to explanations of the ten most famous operas, Classic Ephemera contains everything you need to know about classical music, and more besides. Amusing, light-hearted but always enlightening, Classic Ephemera is the perfect gift for anyone who loves classical music, history or trivia.

There are all sorts of people, events and sounds that exist in the musical world for which there are no words. We have been sadly bereft of a satisfactory way to describe the contortion of a singer's mouth when reaching for the high notes; the audience member who leaves a concert halfway through the grand finale; or that person who places one finger in their ear and raises their eyes heavenwards when they sing.; Tim Lihoreau neatly solves this problem in The Classic FM Musical Treasury. Having scoured the UK for place names with a musical bent, he has created a charming collection of humorously inventive, musically themed meanings. From choral singing to rock concerts, opera and orchestras, this quirky book will delight music fans everywhere.

Discover the world's most famous ballets, including Swan Lake, Don Quixote, The Nutcracker, Spartacus, and The Firebird accompanied by 10 sound clips of child-friendly pieces. "The perfect way to discover the stories behind famous ballets and introduce the melodies to your children. Simply adorable." Myleene Klass Learn about the music and stories of ballet in the second book of The Very Young Person's Guide To... series. Pull on your pointe shoes and follow our heroes as they explore beautiful scenes inspired by some of ballet's most loved music, including Swan Lake, Giselle, The Nutcracker, Spartacus, and The Firebird. Young readers can discover iconic moments including Swan Lake's Dance of the Cygnets, The Clog Dance from La Fille Mal Gardée, and Don Quixote's Dance of the Matadors. Original illustrations capture the beautiful story of the ballet, while the sound button brings the composer's dazzling pieces to life. Every spread features fascinating facts about the ballet, performers, the composer, and the music. Ideal for young children starting music and dance lessons, The Very Young Person's Guide to Ballet Music is guaranteed to delight and inspire.

A riotous, rambling and incomplete history of classical music, complete with leg measurements. 'Hello, I'm Stephen Fry. Now time for the first outing of a brand, spanking new feature here on The Incomplete and Utter History of Classical Music...putting some unsuspecting figure in music under the spotlight.' In his Incomplete & Utter History of Classical Music, Stephen Fry presents a potted and brilliantly rambling 700-year history of classical music and the world as we know it. Along this musical journey he casually throws in references to pretty much whatever takes his fancy, from the Mongol invasion of Russia and Mr Khan (Genghis to his friends), the founding of the MCC, the Black Death (which once again became the new black in England), to the heady revolutionary atmosphere of Mozart's Don Giovanni and the deep doo-doo that Louis XVI got into (or 'du-du' as the French would say). It's all here - Ambrose and early English plainsong, Bach, Mozart (beloved of mobile phones everywhere), Beethoven, Debussy, Wagner (the old romantic), right up to the present day.; Entertaining and brilliantly written, this is a pretty reckless romp of a history through classical music and much much mo

Discover the main instruments of the orchestra accompanied by 10 sound clips of child-friendly famous pieces, including Lark Ascending, Flight of the Bumblebee, Carnival of the Animals, Children's Intermezzo Suite, and more. Featuring 10 different sound buttons throughout the book that play 10-second clips of famous classical pieces performed by a live orchestra. Parents and carers - save the batteries, and your patience, with an on/off switch for the musical sounds located on the left of the back cover. Tune up and take your seat - the orchestra is about to begin! Introduce the maestro-in-making in your life to orchestral music. Follow Ava and Jayden on a magical journey as they discover the instruments of the orchestra and explore beautiful scenes inspired by the music. Young readers can discover instruments from the violin to the trumpet, and learn about the composers and their dazzling pieces. The spreads tell the story of the classical tune, while the sound button brings it to life. Discover 10 famous classic pieces appropriate for children, including; - Williams' The Lark Ascending - Saint-Saens' Carnival of the Animals - Rossini's William Tell - Rimsky-Korsakov's Flight of the Bumblebee - Handel's Messiah - Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake - Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue - Strauss' Sunrise - Mozart's Horn Concerto No. 4 - Clara Schumann's Piano Concerto in A minor. Ideal for young fans of classical music aged 4-7 years and those beginning to learn an instrument, The Very Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra is guaranteed to amaze and inspire. The story text leads you through magical scenes inspired by the orchestra and music with easy-to-read rhymes pulled out for younger readers and fascinating fact boxes to reinforce learning. The easy press buttons play 10 seconds of music each.