The book is the second volume of a four-volume series of music history textbooks, all by the same author. What is considered the main merit of the series is that, while avoiding overload of facts or overly specialized language, it aims rather at prompting an understanding of historical processes and at presenting history of music in wider context of art, culture and social processes. Attractive layout and accessible language make the series suitable also for younger students of high school level. Volume 2 takes up the subject matter of baroque music originated in volume 1 and continues throughout the Classical and Romantic periods.