THE ESSENTIAL LISTENING TO MUSIC, 6E, International Edition draws on the strengths of author Craig Wright’s larger volumes—outstanding listening resources, clear writing, state-of-the-art online resources—and delivers them in a direct, conversational style that is designed to inspire a lifelong appreciation of music. In this concise book, scholar and master-teacher Wright focuses on the key concepts and works presented within a typical Music Appreciation course, avoids lengthy discussions on side topics, and includes a set of integrated digital resources that make it easy—and fun—for you to master the material. THE ESSENTIAL LISTENING TO MUSIC, 6E, International Edition is approximately 60 percent shorter than the large volume and is priced much lower than our larger texts.

This chronological text discusses musical examples from each historical period, each discussed within its social context. This provides you with a sense of a piece’s construction, as well as its historical and cultural meaning.