This book is based on the premise that knowledge of a composer’s life and historical context can deepen the reader’s understanding of his music. Some historical context of 19th- and 20th-century Europe and the significant changes in the social and political landscape of those times adds to an understanding and appreciation of the music.
The book contains a selection of easily accessible biographies of some of the major composers heard on Classic fM and in concert halls. The biographies contain information on major life events, connections with other composers and historical and political circumstances, and some of the major works of the composers.


• The first motion picture footage ever recorded was shot in South Africa;
• The world’s largest diamond was found at Cullinan;
• South Africa is one of only two countries to have won the Rugby World Cup twice;
• South Africa is one of only 12 countries in the world with tap water fit to drink;
• Soweto’s Vilakazi Street is the only place in the world where two Nobel Peace Laureates lived on the same street;
• There are six million trees in Johannesburg;
• A meteorite the size of Table Mountain thudded into the Vredefort area some two billion years ago;

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