New edition of a reference written from the viewpoint of a musician rather than a scholar (although scholarship has not been ignored in compiling it), addressing the fact that there are hundreds of published composers whose names do not appear in the latest editions of the 29 music dictionaries and encyclopedias (in eight languages) examined by the author. This absence is a formidable obstacle to the interpretation of the music and preparation of program notes. The present work contains general text on the evolution of the sonata and other subjects; a section on music schools and lists of composers by nation; composer biographies; and classified bibliographies. The publisher's address is 253 W. Fourth St., Booneville, AR 72927-3605. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.