Imogen Holst's brilliantly lucid book introduces the reader to the language of musical terms, highlighting and analysing the historical development of music's texture, harmony, and form. The perfect complement to The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Music, it can be read by anyone - absolutebeginners and those who wish to consolidate and extend what they already know. But it not only informs: ultimately, for performers and listeners alike it encourages livelier participation.