This two-volume encyclopedia serves as a comprehensive reference work designed to catalog the breadth of global musical knowledge from antiquity to the modern era. Edited by Denis Arnold with contributions from 90 subject-matter experts, the text provides a structured framework for understanding the evolution of musical forms, instruments, and theoretical concepts. It functions as a foundational repository of information for students, scholars, and enthusiasts seeking precise definitions and historical context across diverse musical traditions.

Experts and musicologists frequently cite this work as a standard reference tool due to its rigorous editorial oversight and breadth of coverage. Readers often note the academic density of the prose, which is tailored for serious study rather than casual browsing.