Anyone interested in music often wants to place pieces in context, for example to know who wrote them, and when, and where they were first performed. The new Oxford Dictionary of Musical Works provides short articles on over 1750 pieces, including operas and ballets, and choral, vocal, orchestral, chamber, and instrumental pieces, including operas and ballets, choral, vocal, orchestral, chamber, and instrumental pieces. Other genres included are collections, national anthems, and traditional melodies. Each entry provides the essential information about each piece: the details of its genre, the composer, librettist, the number of movements or acts, and important dates surrounding the piece. Fully cross-referenced, the dictionary also includes an appendix of nicknamed compositions, such as the "Pastoral" Symphony, as well as an index of composers and a glossary of terms. Thorough and illuminating, the Oxford Dictionary of Musical Works is an absolute necessity for any music lover.