Let a mutual fund manager guide you into the world of classical music – profit guaranteed!

How is the baroque period like a cup of cappuccino? What does yin and yang have to do with the work of Chopin? And how did Mozart play a part in resolving the Asian financial crisis? This title is a five-part compilation of the best of Hu Keng-Ming’s articles and magazine columns on classical music, providing the reader with a unique perspective on the works of composers like Bach, Brahms, Chopin, Debussy, and Vivaldi.

Part one begins by introducing the main historical divisions of classical music – baroque, classical, romantic, and modern – through stories that are packed with information and narrated with panache. Part two takes a geographical approach, exploring the musical histories of different countries and addressing topics such as the connection between impressionism in visual art and in music, and how Tchaikovsky revolutionized the music of ballet scores. In part three we learn stories of music and composers that hinge on supernatural themes of life and death, magic, and monsters; part four offers a pastiche of a gossip column, exposing some of the more salacious tales of the musical world, before part five concludes with some more personal reflections on classical music.

Each of the stories in Investing in Classical Music can be enjoyed independently of the others, but the ingenious structure of the book suggests unexpected connections and resonances between them. What’s more, every chapter comes with a list of recommended listening – including specific advice on the best orchestra, recording, and edition – to enable newcomers to the field to get the most out of their classical music listening experience.