About the Author

Anthony Baines is the retired Curator of the Bate Collection of Historical Instruments in the University of Oxford. The author of several books and articles on instruments, he co-founded the Galpin Society, formed in 1946 to promote the study of musical instruments, and edited its journal 1956-63, and from 1971.

Reviews

I`a straightforward, unfussy dictionary format, with clear cross-references...for quick reference The Oxford Companion to Musical Instruments is little short of ideal. And in addition to its value as a working tool, dipping into the book offers a great deal of entertainment and no little elucidation.' BBC Music Magazine
'ravishingly authoritative'
Paul Driver, Financial Times
`A large and comphensive dictionary ... gives the reader accurate information on all the usual musical instruments and most of the unusual ones, however bizarre. This is a reference book of immense importance and interest. D.R.C., The Organ Winter 1992 Vol 72, 283
'offers concise and interesting explanations of instruments the world over'
Classical Music, January 1993
'This new book is an essential reference work for all school and college libraries where the study and practice of music is taken seriously. All its contents have been displayed with the utmost clarity with the text of the volume in double columns. The volume should provide a valuable Companion for many years to come, and will open up the subject for many new readers in a very handy and compelling way.'
The Consort, Odemetsd Foundation
'This encyclopedic work provides rich detail about the standard orchestral instruments, describes hundreds of obscure instruments from both hemispheres, and explains such terms as "cross-fingering" and "overblowing".'
Symphony, March/April 1993
'Anyone sufficiently interested in musical instruments to be reading GSJ will find the Companion a friend for life, and should rush out and buy a copy instead of reading reviews.'
Raymond Parks, Galpin Society Journal, XLVII
'This is a tour de force, the work of a master. However much you know about instruments, about any instrument, you will learn more here. Also, it's a pleasure to read.'
Jeremy Montagu, FOMRHI Quarterly, No. 69, October, 1992
'Anyone sufficiently interested in musical instruments to be reading GSJ will find the Companion a friend for life, and should rush out and buy a copy instead of reading reviews. It is the kind of book that is not easy to consult for just a single word at a time without getting drawn to a host of others one hadn't thought of asking about. The book is excellent value for money: ... the contents are wholesome and appetising. It is a solid reference work to
which one turns again and again with pleasure and confidence,'
Raymond Parks. The Galpin Society
`Many scholarly books exist about the history and development of musical instruments, but seldom does one encounter a single volume which covers this vast subject quite so comprehensively and in such an accessible manner as Anthony Baines' carefully researched volume ... has covered virtually every aspect of this vast field, and few music lovers or musical scholars will find a lack of any of the basic information they might be seeking ... excellent value
... this is the perfect ready reference guide for any music lover or music student, all of whom should have a copy on their music bookshelf - but don't merely turn to it when you need to look up a reference
- it is also enourmous fun to dip into at random since one can glean a great deal of truly fascinating information. On every page one senses the author's passion and love for his subject.'
Scenario