A History of American Classical Music : (with 2 Audio CD's)

"The History of American Classical Music" celebrates a legacy built up from Colonial times to the present, containing riches unfamiliar even to sophisticated music lovers.

Barrymore Laurence Scherer, a distinguished American author, leads the reader through an enthralling history, illustrating the importance of not only renowned names, such as Gershwin, Copland, Bernstein, Joplin and Sousa, but also those formally in the shadows, such as William Henry Fry and Alan Hovhaness. And, of course, we even step into Broadway for that most American step-child of opera: the musical.

This development, tracked largely by key composers, is set against America's tempestuous history, putting neatly into context the achievements of the time. And with the words come 2 CDs of carefully chosen music to provide a uniquely rounded representation of his field.

Furthermore, the purchaser of the book is given access to a dedicated website which offers even more music to listen to, as well as other bonus material.