The Symphony

The Symphony may be recommended warmly to music lovers on all levels of interest and expertise.... The writing is wonderfully clear, personal, and specific. --The Washington Post Lucid, witty, and composed by a master stylist, Steinberg's essays offer a magnificent blend of biographical detail, accessible musical analysis, subjective reflection, and entertaining whimsy. Whether he is guiding a reader through the intricacies of a Mahler symphony, unearthing new treasures in a familiar Beethoven score or correlating the strange performance history of Charles Ives's symphonies with his own concert-going life, Steinberg's writing is both authoritative and deeply personal. His immense knowledge of music, and the ease with which he deploys it, have made him the acknowledged master of this particular form. --San Francisco Chronicle The Symphony may be recommended warmly to music lovers on all levels of interest and expertise.... The writing is wonderfully clear, personal, and specific. --The Washington Post Steinberg writes with unflagging enthusiasm.... An informed and thoughtful guide, The Symphony merits serious attention. --Chicago Tribune The finest symphonic guide issued in more than a decade. --Newark Sunday Star-Ledger Rush over to the bookstore and find Michael Steinberg's The Symphony.... Every entry shows insight and a real love for the music. --Jeff Bradley, The Denver Post Lucid, witty, and composed by a master stylist, Steinberg's essays offer a magnificent blend of biographical detail, accessible musical analysis, subjective reflection, and entertaining whimsy. Whether he is guiding a reader through the intricacies of a Mahler symphony, unearthing new treasures in a familiar Beethoven score or correlating the strange performance history of Charles Ives's symphonies with his own concert-going life, Steinberg's writing is both authoritative and deeply personal. His immense knowledge of music, and the ease with which he deploys it, have made him the acknowledged master of this particular form. --San Francisco Chronicle I wish every music lover or would-be music lover would read Michael Steinberg's book. Besides the unique artistry and elegance that are his hallmarks, he is able to humanize the world of classical music and all its fabulous and colorful inhabitants, from Mozart to Mahler to Martinu. His beautiful and effortless prose speaks from the heart and to the heart: I always learn something from him. We were the beneficiaries in Boston for longer than we deserved of Michael's gifts. I'm glad that the world-at-large has a chance to revel in them. --Seiji Ozawa, Music Director, Boston Symphony Orchestra Here's a treat for those addicted to reading the program notes before the concert begins. They will find that Steinberg has done for symphonies what Milton Cross did for operas...[The essays] offer both the concertgoer and the audiophile the chance to study a symphony from a point of view that is more personal than that of most recording liner notes. --Booklist Michael Steinberg's impact on music throughout the world has always made a strong impression on me. His knowledge and seriousness make him an outstanding partner--resulting in a high level of musical interpretation. We, at the New York Philharmonic, are looking forward to a fruitful collaboration with him. --Kurt Masur, Conductor, The New York Philharmonic Symphony A well-written, informative introduction to the repertory. --Library Journal A book written by someone who knows and loves music deeply and who engagingly communicates his great insight into the art. It is keenly informative, witty and conversational. It is an essential book for any concertgoer and any new or veteran fan of classical music. --Michael Tilson Thomas, Music Director, The San Francisco Symphony Michael Steinberg's program notes have been admired for 30 years by those audiences (mainly in Boston, New York, San Francisco, and Minneapolis) fortunate enough to have him writing for them. I have only to pick up a program from one of these cities to recognize Michael's notes by their irresistible personal style: intimate, humane, passionate, and intensely well-informed. Collected together, these essays on the central symphonic repertoire will enrich many new listener's lives with their unpontificating 'insider's' view, born of years of thoughtful experience and love of music. --Roger Norrington, Musical Director, London Classical Players Michael Steinberg represents the gold standard of music criticism. His is a mind of immense subtelty and learning that expresses itself with generosity, humor, accessibility, and a noticeable absence of pomposity. This is a book of 1001 pleasures. --John Adams, Composer Michael Steinberg is one of the very few writers who can really bring a listener close to the music. He not only knows what he is talking about--and eminently so--but finds the most elegant, striking, and often surprising ways of saying it. He is a true artist who uses words, instead of bows or fingers, to articulate what he has found in the music. He is the composer's and interpreter's unfailing ally, and the listeners' devoted friend. His love of music is contagious. --Herbert Blomstedt, Conductor Laureate, The San Francisco Symphony