The Gift of Music: Great Composers and Their Influence (Expanded and Revised, 3rd Edition)

One of the finest achievements of Western culture is its brilliant heritage of classical music. A Gift of Music looks at the lives of the greatest composers who have given us this heritage, and especially at how their music was shaped by their beliefs.

The result is a remarkable and inspiring book, showing the importance of Christian faith for many composers, and the effect of this upon their music. But it also shows how the lack of faith has brought profound change in the meaning and form of contemporary music.

Thus A Gift of Music seeks to open up a whole new world of music--to encourage listening to the finest compositions with new understanding and pleasure, and to stretch our ears and imaginations. It is a book which will be greatly appreciated by those who already love classical music, and by others who want to explore this delightful world for the first time.

JANE STUART SMITH has sung in the major opera houses of Europe and America. She presently lives at L'Abri Fellowship in Switzerland, where she lectures in music.

BETTY CARLSON has studied at the Conservatory of Music in Lausanne, Switzerland, and now writes and works at L'Abri Fellowship. With Jane Stuart Smith, she coauthored Crossway's Favorite Men Hymn Writers and Favorite Women Hymn Writers.

Francis A. Schaeffer (1912-1984) authored more than twenty books, which have been translated into several languages and have sold millions globally. He and his wife, Edith, founded the L'Abri Fellowship international study and discipleship centers. Recognized internationally for his work in Christianity and culture, Schaeffer passed away in 1984 but his influence and legacy continue worldwide.