STORY-LIVES OF GREAT COMPOSERS

Here's a background biographical book on some of the composers not usually included in such collections. There are nineteen composers, from Rossini and Scarlatti up to the moderns. This volume, along with Story-Lives of Master Musicians by Brower gives a reasonably good coverage of the composers whose works are increasingly familiar to radio listeners of all ages. The material is readable in handling, with enough anecdote to hold the interest, with strains from the operas, and motives included where important. One section lists representative records available.