Description

The Milton Cross New Encyclopedia of the Great Composers and Their Music is a highly regarded two-volume reference guide co-authored by famed radio broadcaster Milton Cross and music historian David Ewen.

Originally published in 1953, the encyclopedia offers detailed biographies of 78 foundational composers from Bach to Menotti, analytical essays on their masterpieces, a glossary, and a list of basic record works.

The comprehensive reference set was designed to be both educational and highly accessible for classical music enthusiasts, students, and concertgoers. The core contents span:

Composer Biographies: In-depth, alphabetical chapters that provide both the historical narrative of the composers’ lives and critical evaluations of their musical contributions.

Music History: An overview tracing the evolution of musical forms before and after Bach.

Practical Guides: Supplemental resources that include “100 basic works for the record library with recommended recordings,” a glossary of musical terms, and a dictionary of musical forms