Reddit mentions of The Rough Guide to Classical Music

Three books that I’ve found helpful over the years are the various editions of these. In every case you’re at the mercy of the tastes of the critics who compiled them, but by and large they are reliable. There are other “”best of” classical guides; there are sure to be some on-line.

[The Rough Guide to Classical Music] (http://www.amazon.com/Rough-Guide-Classical-Music/dp/1848364768/) (2010 edition) gives brief composer biographies, mini-essays on things like “sonata” and “fugue” and recommends 2 or 3 preferred recording (budget to full-price). It’s very handy, especially for beginners.

The [Gramophone Classical Music Guide] (http://www.amazon.com/Gramophone-Classical-Music-Guide-2011/dp/0860249239/) (2011 edition) used to be an annual thing but I don’t see a 2013 edition at Amazon and the 2012 edition is way expensive. No composer bios but very complete coverage of a wide range of works by a wide range of composers with long lists and 2 to 3 sentence reviews of best recordings.

[The New York Times Essential Library: Classical Music: A Critic's Guide to the 100 Most Important Recordings] (http://www.amazon.com/The-York-Times-Essential-Library/dp/0805070702/) is older (2004) but NYT music critic Alan Kozinn gives short bios and analyses of the 100 recordings, explains his choices, and also gives alternative versions. Since often the best recordings—at least in terms of conductors and orchestras—are a few decades old, his choices still hold weight.

Well, "classical music" doesn't mean like anything and there are no essential composers unless you like someone so much that you want to start composing pastiches in his style.

In general, you can learn composing and playing - the difference between more high styles and low (pop, dance, folk) styles in the complexity and ambition of the compositions.

Learn harmony, counterpoint, rhythms and form, scales... and just compose.

If you are looking for popular composers, check some guide/encyclopedia of classical music.

https://www.amazon.com/Rough-Guide-Classical-Music/dp/1848364768

See also this:

https://archive.org/details/formsofmusic000129mbp

(Any other modern book/series on Western music - like this:

https://global.oup.com/academic/product/oxford-history-of-western-music-9780195386301?cc=us&lang=en&

or

http://books.wwnorton.com/books/webad.aspx?id=4294971252

http://books.wwnorton.com/books/webad.aspx?id=4294971251

http://books.wwnorton.com/books/webad.aspx?id=4294971253)


Also, orchestration/instrumentation book is recommended, if you want to compose for orchestra.