Born into one of England's best-known families, Samuel Sebastian Wesley (1810-76) was not only the foremost organist and church musician of his generation, but a vigorous campaigner for higher standards in cathedral music. Author Peter Horton, librarian at the Royal College of Music and editor of Wesley's anthems, has drawn on a wide range of source material to produce a detailed account of Wesley's life and career as he moved from cathedral to cathedral in search of an unattainable ideal. The book is illustrated by a generous selection of musical examples and plates, and includes the most detailed list of works to appear in print.

Oxford University Press, 416 pages hardbound; 82 figures.