Music for the People: The Pleasures and Pitfalls of Classical Music

Have you ever been carried away by a piece of classical music? The sad song of a single violin might make us cry, but the idea of finding out more about classical music can often be intimidating. In this funny, evocative, personal book, Gareth takes us on a journey of musical discovery that explains and entertains in equal measure.

Over the course of three series of the Bafta award-winning The Choir, Gareth has unearthed a passion for classical music in schoolchildren, reluctant teenage boys, and even a whole town.

With his infectious enthusiasm and gift for explanation, Gareth's very personal narrative takes you by the hand and leads you through a world of eccentric composers, flamboyant conductors, troubled geniuses and all the colourful personalities that make up the story of Classical Music. It will also provide a foundation of classical music understanding and give the reader the tools to appreciate a whole new world of music.

So whether you want to expand your horizons, spend time with the great composers, introduce an almost infinite variety into your iPod playlist, or are just curious about what you might be missing out on, Music for The People will leave you entertained, informed and completely inspired.

Read by Gareth, and featuring a host of embedded sample tracks, the audio editions of Music for the People let you listen to excerpts of the music that Gareth has chosen to illustrate his explanations.

Gareth Malone is a music animateur, singer, TV presenter and author. His BAFTA award-winning series The Choir re-ignited popular interest in classical music and received critical acclaim for inspiring so many to put their preconceptions to the side and to enjoy all that classical music has to offer. He studied at the Royal Academy of Music before joining the London Symphony Orchestra as Assistant Animateur, Conductor and Chorus-master. Gareth lives in London with his wife and daughter.