This work investigates the evolution of musical composition and performance practices within England from the medieval period through the late nineteenth century. Ernest Walker, a noted composer and musicologist, utilizes extensive archival research and historical analysis to construct a comprehensive timeline of English musical development. He argues that English music possesses a distinct national character that has been shaped by both internal cultural shifts and external continental influences. The text provides a structured framework for understanding the transition from ecclesiastical traditions to the secular and symphonic forms of the modern era.

Experts recognize this text as a foundational historical survey that provides significant context for the development of Western musicology. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which serves as a reliable reference for scholars and students of music history.