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PETROC TRELAWNY’S CLASSICAL MUSIC PUZZLE BOOK (Ivy Press)

Following on from the well-deserved success of his lyrical “Trelawny’s Cornwall”, the popular BBC music broadcaster Petroc Trelawny has now set us all a challenge with his “Petroc Trelawny’s Classical Music Puzzle Book”.

This is a beautiful publication from Ivy Press, the left -hand pages each devoted to composers ranging from Hildegard of Bingen coming through 900 years until the present day, and there are five sections: vocal, stage, orchestral, concertos, instrumental. Each tells of a particular work, accompanied by fascinating visuals which are certainly not the usual suspects.

On each facing page is a puzzle connected with the composer in question. Truth to tell, some of the puzzles are less musical, more logical (the compilers are expert puzzle-setters Dr Gareth Moore and Laura Jayne Ayres), but they certainly offer plenty of rewarding absorption.

I have enjoyed reviewing this lovely book, which has the bonus of sitting nicely in the hand. Perfect for a Christmas present – and even to yourself!

Christopher Morley

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