This expanded and completely revised fifth edition is a unique ebook, spanning a thousand years of music from Gregorian chant via Bach and Beethoven to current leading lights such as Thomas Adès and Kaija Saariaho. There are concise biographical profiles of more than 200 composers and informative summaries of the major compositions in all genres, from chamber works to operatic epics. Topics such as the influence of jazz, notation, conducting, the madrigal, and why Stradivarius made such great violins are covered fully in feature boxes. The Rough Guide to Classical Music in a new ebook (PDF) fromat has been praised for its mix of well-known composers with more obscure, but interesting, figures (like Antoine Brumel and Barbara Strozzi), and for the way it takes contemporary music seriously.

Sketches of classical composers and CD reviews.

Combining the most extraordinary aspects of both wild and cosmopolitan New Zealand, this Rough Guide offers unparalleled coverage of activities and accommodations. of color photos. 80 maps.

The Rough Guide to Havana is the essential travel guide with clear maps and coverage of the unforgettable attractions of Cuba's lively capital. From the Museo de la Revolución and other must-visit museums and galleries to splendid architectural gems including the Catedral de San Cristóbal, the Rough Guide steers you to the best restaurants, stylish bars & cafés, and hottest nightlife in Havana across every price range. The guide provides comprehensive coverage of hotels as well as private homestays, the best places to stay for an up-close experience of life in Cuba. You'll find detailed coverage of the outer boroughs La Lisa and Marianao as well as an unprecedented level of detail for the main four city neighbourhoods, Habana Vieja, Centro Habana, Vedado and Miramar. Rely on insider tips on everything from where to go for local music and jazz, shop for Cuban film posters, guayabera shirts and rum, and witness the time, skill and effort involved in producing Cuban cigars. Explore all corners of the city with authoritative background on Cuban history and a succinct political analysis of the Cuban Revolution, relying on the clearest maps of any guide and practical language tips. Make the most of your holiday with The Rough Guide to Havana

The Rough Guide to Tokyo is the ultimate travel guide to Japan's weird and wonderful capital city. Discover Tokyo's highlights with stunning photography, colour-coded maps and more listings and information than ever before. You'll find detailed practical advice on what to see and do in Tokyo - from the hipster bars of Shibuya and Shimokitazawa to the top spots for Japanese classic meals such as sushi, ramen, tempura and okonomiyaki - as well as up-to-date descriptions of the best hotels, clubs, shops and more, for all budgets. Whether you're planning to explore neighbourhoods such as Shinjuku, Ginza and Ueno in depth, or need fast-fix itineraries and "Best of" boxes that pick out the highlights you won't want to miss, The Rough Guide to Tokyo is your essential guide to the city. Make the most of your trip with The Rough Guide to Tokyo.

The Rough Guide to Florence & the Best of Tuscany is the essential companion to discovering the romantic Italian city and its breath-taking surrounds. The full-colour introduction highlights the renaissance architecture that dominates the streets of Florence, as well as the dramatic and varied scenery of the best pockets of Tuscany. There are full accounts of all the major tourist sites, including Michelangelo’s statue of David the charming Ponte Vecchio and Tuscany’s world-renowned wine regions, as well as thorough explorations of those hidden gems, from small hillside villages and Florence’s dynamic drinking scene. There are special features on Florence as the capital of Italy and Tuscan Food & Drink, not to mention countless recommendations for Michelen-starred restaurants, humble pizzerias, bars and cafés and hotels for every region and budget. The guide has all the practical information you need to get there, travel around with ease and ensure you don’t miss the unmissable. Make the most of your time with The Rough Guide to Florence & the Best of Tuscany.

The Rough Guide to Los Angeles & Southern California is the definitive guide to the region. Whether you're looking for inspiring accommodation or great places to eat, you'll find the solution with hundreds of restaurant, hotel, nightlife and shop reviews. Along with a thorough look at LA's top tourist areas, from Hollywood and Beverly Hills to Santa Monica and Disneyland, the guide explores more obscure but no less deserving sights, like Downtown's arts district and Santa Catalina Island. Additionally, the book covers the broader Southern California region, including San Diego, Palm Springs and Santa Barbara. Accurate maps and comprehensive practical information, from city transport and tours to costs and currency, help you get under the skin of the region, whilst stunning photography and an inspirational introduction make this your ultimate travelling companion to this free-spirited American metropolis. Originally published in print in 2011. Make the most of your trip with The Rough Guide to Los Angeles & Southern California. Now available in ePub format.

The Rough Guide to Melbourne is the ultimate travel guide with clear maps and detailed coverage of all the best attractions Melbourne has to offer. Discover Melbourne's coolest bars and the hippest Melbourne hotels to the immense changes to the fabric of the city itself. Packed with detailed, practical advice on what to see and do in Melbourne, get the lowdown on Melbourne's renowned live music and club scenes and whet your appetite for its restaurants with a insert on its eclectic multicultural cuisine for all budgets. Features include detailed coverage on the lively Melbourne city centre and dynamic outer suburbs; the cafes of Fitzroy, Prahran and South Yarra shopping, and the beaches of St Kilda to wine tasting tours of the Yarra Valley and road trips along the magnificent Great Ocean Road. You'll find authoritative background on Melbourne's history, film and books. Explore all corners of Australia's fastest growing city, with the clearest Melbourne maps, street plans and tram and train maps of any guide. Make the most of your holiday with The Rough Guide to Melbourne.

This in-depth coverage of Japan's attractions, sights, and restaurants takes you to the most rewarding spots-from the cutting-edge modernism of Tokyo, the history and culture of Kyoto, to the heights of Mt. Fuji-and stunning color photography brings the nation to life. The locally based Rough Guides author team introduces the best places to stop and explore, and provides reliable insider tips on topics such as driving the roads, taking walking tours, or visiting local landmarks. You'll find special coverage of history, art, architecture, and literature, and detailed information on the best markets and shopping for each area in this fascinating country. The Rough Guide to Japan also unearths the best restaurants, nightlife, and places to stay, from backpacker hostels to beachfront villas and boutique hotels, and color-coded maps feature every sight and listing. Make the most of your time with The Rough Guide to Japan.

Paint your own picture of these paradise isles -- covered markets in Denpasar, beachfront villas in Sanur, homestays in the Ubud rice paddies, rave clubs in Kuta, dive sites in the Gili Islands -- or let us do it for you, with all-new color photos and completely revised coverage. Our expert authors bring you honest opinions and lively reviews, as well as special information for outdoors enthusiasts, vegetarian travelers, art lovers, and indigenous crafts collectors.