This book is based on the eight-part Channel 4 series, fronted by Dudley Moore and Sir Georg Solti, to be shown from January 1991. The book alternates between the families of instruments - strings, woodwind, brass and percussion - and periods of music - baroque, classical, romantic and contemporary. The central text focuses on the outstanding composers and their social, musical and historical context, with side passages on relevant musical forms and the size of the orchestra. Within each chapter another section focuses on the history and origins of individual instruments, their musical characteristics and the development of their role in the orchestra. The margin text covers virtuoso performers and musicians" own stories about their chosen instruments, including the comments and views of Moore and Solti.