What makes Mozart`s music so great? Why does a minor chord sound sad and a major chord sound happy? What`s the difference between opera and operetta? From Bach to Bernstein, this definitive guide offers a complete survey of the history of classical music. Whether you already love classical music or you`re just beginning to explore it, The Complete Classical Music Guide invites you to discover the spirituality of Byrd`s masses, the awesome power of Handel`s Messiah, and the wonders of Wagner`s operas, as well as hundreds more composers and their masterpieces. This guide takes you on a journey through more than 1,000 years, charting the evolution of musical instruments, styles, and genres. Biographies of major and lesser-known composers offer rich insights into their music and the historical and cultural contexts that influenced their genius. The book explores the features that defined each musical era - from the ornate brilliance of the Baroque, through the drama of Romantic music, to contemporary genres such as minimalism and electronic music. Timelines, quotes, and colour photographs give a voice to this music and the exceptionally gifted individuals who created it.