Classical Music in America: A History

Joseph Horowitz

National Geographic Books, Sep 25, 2007 - Music - 624 pages

“A splendid read, at once disturbing and illuminating.”—Gramophone

“An opinionated, stimulating account of how classical music failed to establish fruitful roots in America,” Classical Music in America chronicles “a cultural attitude that has produced many fine artists and striking moments—but no institutional or intellectual support to sustain them” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review). “An admirable, scholarly volume” (Times Literary Supplement), this “formidable book ... shows how American classical music became a ‘performance culture,’ an ersatz-European showplace for celebrity virtuosos, rather than a native-born genre” (The New Yorker). “As a comprehensive, convincing analysis of the contemporary dilemma” of reconciling European heritage with American vision “and a riveting portrait of the century and a half of events and personalities which brought it about, Mr Horowitz’s account would be hard to beat” (The Economist). “Anyone seeking to understand why American classical music has come to so dead an end—and wondering how it might yet escape a final descent into cultural irrelevance—should read Classical Music in America with close attention” (Commentary).

What people are saying

CLASSICAL MUSIC IN AMERICA: A History of Its Rise and Fall

User Review  - Kirkus

Opinionated, stimulating account of how classical music failed to establish fruitful roots in America, from orchestral administrator and historian Horowitz (Wagner Nights, 1994, etc.).In his view, the ...

Classical music in America: a history of its rise and fall

User Review  - Not Available - Book Verdict

Horowitz (Understanding Toscanini: How He Became an American Culture-God and Helped Create a New Audience for Old Music ) has written a splendid social history of classical music in America. Unlike ...

About the author

A former New York Times music critic, Joseph Horowitz is the author of ten books exploring the history of American music, including Classical Music in America and Artists in Exile –both named books of the year by the Economist. He lives in New York City.

Bibliographic information

• Title: Classical Music in America: A History
• Author: Joseph Horowitz
• Edition: illustrated, reprint
• Publisher: National Geographic Books, 2007
• ISBN: 0393330559, 9780393330557
• Length: 624 pages
• Subjects: Music / General