"Ingenious and astute. Tomes describes the works of many of the composers here with deft strokes . I learned a lot, and listened to new things and went back to old things. What more might a music book do?"--Stuart Kelly, Scotsman "Such a lovely idea for a book, and it's executed wonderfully."--Mathew Lyons, Broken Compass "An enchanting, original voyage through musical history via the nocturne; miniature in form, but presaging two centuries of art and thought about night, sleep and dreams. Ingenious, and engaging."--Dame Judith Weir, former Master of the King's Music "'Nocturnes are like the prefiguring of a dream . we feel we are in an enchanted place'--so says the author, magically leading us there in this wonderfully illuminating survey.

"--Sir John Rutter, composer and conductor "From John Field's curtain-free windows in the St Petersburg twilight to Lowell Liebermann's urban dreams in contemporary America, Susan Tomes takes us on a fascinating, fantastical journey of nocturnal enchantment at the piano, and beyond."--Sir Stephen Hough, pianist and author of Enough "Susan Tomes takes us on a fascinating journey into the night. Beautifully written, full of intriguing facts and attractively poetic descriptions, this unusual book is sure to be of interest to musicians and music-lovers alike."--Steven Isserlis, cellist and author of The Bach Cello Suites.