This pocket-sized guide, with its numerous illustrations, many of which are in colour, is an invaluable source of information for the music-lover. The first chapter, on sound, is followed by descriptions of the instruments of the modern orchestra, their origins and development, together with notes on the ancient instruments of the past. Stringed instruments, wind, percussion, the organ—all are dealt with, and the reader learns what each instrument looks like, and how it works.

The second half of the book contains explanations of terms which the reader is likely to find in the concert programme, and also a section containing biographical notes on the composers of today and yesterday. An appendix explains elementary musical terms employed in the text.