1812 and All That: A Concise History of Music from 30,000 BC to the Millennium

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.