Based on the award-winning six-volume work by Richard Taruskin, The Oxford History of Western Music, College Edition, presents the most up-to-date and comprehensive history of Western music available. Features of this book include: Offers a unique focus on the people behind music history; Places musical works within their larger cultural, social, and political contexts, providing a compelling narrative of music history; Covers music of all eras along with a special emphasis on the most studied works of the past 200 years; Improves critical thinking by offering differing perspectives on how the Western musical canon developed; Builds listening and analysis skills through comprehensive discussion of key works; Includes helpful learning and study tools (timelines, maps, musical examples and diagrams, chapter summaries, key terms, study questions, and a glossary). - Publisher.