author
Thomas Tapper
1864–1958
A lively early champion of music education, this American writer turned the lives of great composers into inviting stories for young readers. His books blend clear teaching with genuine enthusiasm, making classical music feel approachable instead of distant.
10 Audiobooks
Franz Schubert : The Story of the Boy Who Wrote Beautiful Songs
by Thomas Tapper
Verdi : The Story of the Little Boy who Loved the Hand Organ
by Thomas Tapper
Wagner : The Story of the Boy Who Wrote Little Plays
by Thomas Tapper
Music Talks with Children
by Thomas Tapper
Beethoven : The story of a little boy who was forced to practice
by Thomas Tapper
Handel : The Story of a Little Boy who Practiced in an Attic
by Thomas Tapper
Chopin : The Story of the Boy Who Made Beautiful Melodies
by Thomas Tapper
About the author
Born in Canton, Massachusetts, Thomas Tapper (1864–1958) was a musician, composer, lecturer, teacher, editor, and prolific author on musical subjects. He studied at the American College of Musicians and went on to build a career that mixed education, writing, and public advocacy for music.
Tapper is especially remembered for writing books about music for children and young adults. His best-known work is the Lives of Great Composers series, along with other accessible titles such as Music Talks with Children. He also wrote instructional books on theory, harmony, counterpoint, analysis, and melody writing, showing how deeply he cared about helping people learn music in a practical way.
Beyond his books, he served as editor of The Musician, taught at New York University, and lectured at the Institute of Musical Art in New York. He was also associated with pianist and composer Bertha Feiring Tapper, whom he married. Taken together, his work shows a lifelong effort to make music study broader, friendlier, and more widely shared.