"Excellent. Steinberg and Rothe.write persuasively and elegantly about Western classical music in accessible, welcoming language intended for an educated general audience. All music lovers will find this a stimulating, enriching read. Engagingly personal, witty, and jargon-free."--Library Journal (starred review) "This is a graceful book by two music critics and fanatics that addresses the great question, Why do we love what we love? and leads us back to first causes, Bach, Brahms, Beethoven, the music that enthralled us sitting in the mystical fellowship of the concert hall. Their reminiscence of American composers of the 20th Century is not to be missed."--Garrison Keillor "This kaleidoscopic book by Michael Steinberg & Larry Rothe is rich with autobiographical scenes, provocative viewpoints, and heartfelt appreciations--all centering around music and the artistic passion these authors share with and convey to the reader.

It will long be treasured by professionals, novices, and all lovers of classical music."--André Watts "The miracle of Michael Steinberg and Larry Rothe's new book is that music--perhaps the most difficult of the arts to describe and to write about well--is evoked with such eloquence and wit. This collection of essays presents its body of knowledge without pedantry, and as its authors take us on a tour of both major and minor works, using enlightening anecdotes and analyses, we are charmed and instructed, as the authors' love of their subject--announced in the title--makes itself clear."--Charles Baxter, author of The Feast of Love "This is a delightful book--witty, fervent, and wide-ranging. The authors wear their erudition lightly, are unabashedly personal and celebratory, and manage the difficult feat of being both serious and entertaining. I enjoyed it immensely."--Richard Goode, Pianist.