Why did Handel write his famous Water Music? What's the story behind Holst's remarkable Planets suite? What happened to make Shostakovich write his anguished Leningrad Symphony? What inspired Liszt's nineteen Hungarian Rhapsodies? And why did Respighi love Rome's fountains so much?

Classical Destinations II explores the lives of the great composers by visiting the places where they were born, where they worked and where they experienced the highs and lows that so greatly influenced their music. It offers an intimate insight into the emotions, personalities and motivations that gave rise to some of the most enduring pieces of classical music: music that continues to move and inspire listeners today.

The book transports readers to the great cities of Europe; London, Paris, Moscow, Rome and Budapest, to name just a few and with Simon Callow's encyclopaedic knowledge and unbounded enthusiasm provides first-hand experiences of the places and music to give a uniquely personal touch to the narrative.

Classical Destinations II provides an entertaining and informative guide to many of the most important places in the history and geography of classical music.

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