The Orchestra and Its Instruments

There is something irreplaceable about discovering classical music through a passionate, knowledgeable guide. Esther Singleton wrote this book in 1917 for exactly that purpose: to be the companion who makes the symphony orchestra feel not intimidating but alive, endlessly fascinating. She invites readers into the concert hall, to witness the instruments being readied, the musicians taking their places, the conductor raising the baton. Then she walks through each family in turn, the strings with their warmth and agility, the woodwinds with their lyricism and color, the brass with their power and brilliance, the percussion with drama and surprise. But Singleton's real insight is that the orchestra itself becomes an instrument, one that the conductor plays. Nearly a century later, this charmingly written guide remains a delightful entry point for anyone wanting to understand how classical music works, and why it moves us.