FireFly

The only date in this history of music is in the title. This leaves space for really important considerations such as the effect of the side drum on the Russian Revolution and the influence of the 'Times Atlas' on the development of opera.

It examines why Glinka's 'Russlan & Ludmilla Overture' is suitable for boiling eggs, where Mozart's overture to 'The Magic Flute' is not, and ponders the influence of Haydn's wife on the development of sonata form. It also makes clear the position held by the camel in Italian opera and why Stravinsky's 'The Rite of Spring' is so loud.

1812 and All That turns back the pages of history and has a look at the small print between the lines. In this irreverent side-swipe at the history of music, the author makes it clear that the last word on this popular subject has yet to be spoken.

Lawrence Leonard began as a cellist playing under such conductors as Sir Henry Wood, Richard Strauss and Leopold Stokowsky. He became associate conductor of the BBC Northern Orchestra and later assistant conductor to Sir John Barbirolli at the Halle Orchestra. He conducted the London premiere of 'West Side Story' in 1959 and has conducted major orchestras in Europe, Japan and Canada. He was music director of the Edmonton Symphony for five years. He is also a novelist, playwright and composer.