Raising the Roof: A Dazzling History of Classical Music and its Colourful Characters (Hardback) - Jack Pepper

Composer and broadcaster Jack Pepper introduces the world of classical music - and its colourful characters - as you've never seen it before...

Composer and broadcaster Jack Pepper introduces the world of classical music - and its colourful characters - as you've never seen it before... LET'S ROCK!

Informal, raucous and sometimes scandalous, the heroes of classical music are often far from the composed images they're portrayed as. Take a walk in the shoes of 20 original rock stars from the last millennium and find out what it really takes to write a timeless classical hit.

Rub shoulders with Mozart, Bach and Beethoven, as well as unsung trailblazers, including Hildegard of Bingen, Barbara Strozzi and Joseph Bologne, who paved the way for contemporary movie music-maker Hans Zimmer and video game composer Nobuo Uematsu.

Listen as you read, using the playlist inside. Along the way, explore the history of classical music, learn about sounds and key concepts (including symphony, opera and concerto), how classical still influences music today and the future sound.

About the Author

Jack Pepper (Author)
Jack Pepper is one of the UK's youngest commissioned composers and youngest-ever national radio presenters. In his teens, he wrote for the Royal Opera House, Classic FM, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and the Band of HM Royal Marines, alongside pop, jazz and theatre work that saw his music nominated for a Canadian JUNO Award and performed everywhere from the Royal Albert Holl to the Roundhouse. He has presented for Scala Radio and Magic at the Musicals, and hosts both the musical theatre and classical shows for British Airways.

Michele Bruttomesso (Illustrator)
Born and raised in Vicenza, Italy, Michele Bruttomesso is an illustrator that consistently brings a touch of joy to every project he works on. A great punk rock music fan, he came to prominence while still in art school by drawing album reviews for local bands. He has illustrated for magazines, children's books, board games, posters and animation. He's the author of Drengexplosion (2019), an experimental webcomic that mixes cartoon and animation.