The Lighter Classics in Music A Comprehensive Guide to Musical Masterworks in a Lighter Vein by 187 Composers

"The Lighter Classics in Music" by David Ewen is a detailed guide to music written with lighter themes from the early 1960s. It shows off the work of 187 different composers, covering all sorts of styles and aimed at making classical music easier to get into. The book probably talks about why these composers and their songs were important in music history, pointing out what they added to lighter orchestral and vocal pieces. It kicks off with Joseph Achron, the guy behind the emotional "Hebrew Melody," then moves on to others like Adolphe-Charles Adam, famous for his comic operas, and Richard Addinsell, known for the catchy "Warsaw Concerto." For each composer, you learn cool insights about their lives and well-known songs, showing how they made a difference and why their lighter songs are still popular today. The book sets the stage for checking out more of these lighter classical tunes, by mentioning where some songs came from and what they're about.