Instruments of the orchestra, yes. But not just instruments in the orchestra. This is a set of portraits in depth, featuring individual instruments in many contexts (orchestral, chamber, folk, solo, operatic, cinematic, even jazz and avant-garde music) and in pieces from the Middle Ages to the present. Joining regular orchestra members are such exotic visitors as the eerie ondes martenot, the wind machine, banjos, bagpipes, coconuts, typewriters, six-shooters, taxi horns, and migrating swans - and the hundreds of examples range from illustrative snippets to entire movements. The first part is devoted entirely to the violin, and the last to the greatest instrument of all, the orchestra itself.

This intoxicating, energetic, and remarkably informative survey of musical instruments is unprecedented in its scope and achievement. All the lively descriptions are followed by striking musical examples, of which there are over 200, spanning all eras, styles, and genres. As well as a full transcript of the text, the comprehensive booklet contains clear illustrations and background historical information on each instrument.