How can a comprehensive reference work provide accessible, accurate definitions and historical context for the vast field of Western music? Percy Alfred Scholes, a noted musicologist and critic, compiled this volume to serve as a singular resource for students, performers, and listeners. The text utilizes an alphabetical arrangement to synthesize biographical data, technical terminology, and historical developments into a portable format.

Experts recognize this work as a foundational reference text for students and general music enthusiasts due to its clarity and breadth. Readers frequently note the accessibility of the prose, which balances technical precision with historical narrative.