The Oxford First Companion to Music

The Oxford First Companion to Music by Kenneth and Valerie McLeish Oxford University Press, 1982. First edition. Hardcover. ISBN 10: 0193143038 / ISBN 13: 9780193143036. Large format, 192 pages in various pagings, extensively illustrated in full colour throughout. Original red pictorial boards. Condition: Very Good. Clean, bright boards with only light shelf-wear to extremities. Internally excellent – pages crisp, bright and unmarked apart from a neat contemporary ink inscription on the front free endpaper. Binding tight and square. A well-preserved copy of this attractive and increasingly scarce children’s music reference title. Inscription: Attractive personal presentation inscription dated July 1998: “To Karen, Wishing you well for the future, and hoping that your interest in music continues. Best wishes, [Teacher’s signature] . July 1998 on leaving John Donne School, Peckham.” Adds pleasant provenance from a London primary school. On the rear endpapers in light pencil, Linda's address and a telephone number :) The first comprehensive music information book designed specifically for children under thirteen. Arranged by topic rather than alphabetically, it can be read for pleasure or used as a practical reference. Special features include: • “More about” boxes cross-referencing related topics • Over 50 short, playable music examples (many suitable for recorder or piano) • Wide coverage of pop, light music, non-Western music, jazz, folk, and classical • Practical listening suggestions throughout • Clear explanations of instruments, orchestras, singing, dancing, the history of music, composers, and how music is written An engaging, educational volume still highly regarded by music teachers and parents. About the Authors Kenneth McLeish (1940–1997) was one of Britain’s most respected and prolific writers, playwrights and translators. Born in Glasgow and educated at Bradford Grammar School and Worcester College, Oxford (where he studied Classics and Music under Edmund Rubbra), he taught for several years before turning full-time to writing in 1975. He is celebrated for translating all 47 surviving classical Greek plays into modern English, as well as major works by Ibsen, Feydeau, Molière, Strindberg and others. His translations were staged by the Royal Shakespeare Company, National Theatre and many other companies. He also produced numerous popular reference works including The Bloomsbury Good Reading Guide, Myth, and The Penguin Companion to the Arts in the Twentieth Century. Valerie McLeish (née Heath), a trained music teacher, collaborated closely with her husband on several music titles, most notably The Listener’s Guide to Classical Music and the present volume. Their partnership combined Kenneth’s classical scholarship and broad cultural knowledge with Valerie’s practical experience of music education, producing books that are both authoritative and accessible to young readers. Illustrators and Design Designed by Ann Samuel. Illustrated by a team of talented artists: Carl Melegari, David Eaton, John Dugan, David Mostyn, Gary Rees, Tony Morris and John Woodcock. Picture research by Peta Hambling, Elisabeth Agate and Carol Cleal. The book is richly illustrated with a mixture of full-colour photographs, historical images, and lively, informative line drawings and cartoons that perfectly complement the text and appeal strongly to children. A bright, appealing copy of this classic Oxford children’s music companion – ideal for collectors of illustrated educational books, music teachers, or anyone seeking an engaging introduction to the world of music for younger readers.…