“Erudite, biased and persuasive; an irresistible survey of a millennium of music. Its ideas, a brillliant
distillation of contemporary cultural attitudes, will likely percolate across music studies and other
cultural histories.”—Pierre Ruhe, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
“He is an elegant storyteller whose gifts of explication lead the reader to new levels of understanding,
if not always agreement...his history is destined to remain intriguing and influential for years to come.”—
Don Rosenberg, Cleveland Plain Dealer
“It isn’t likely that anyone, anytime soon, will challenge or replace this huge effort of Taruskin’s...it is
a staggering accomplishment.”—Alan Rich, LA Weekly
“The book is nothing short of spectacular...stellar, worthwhile reading.—Daniel Felsenfeld, New
Music Box
“One of the liveliest and most remakable books about music.... It will give real pleasures and
revelations to any music lover, amateur or professional.”—Raphael Mostel, The Forward
“It is difficult to arrive at a final opinion of so vast and multifarious a work other than to say that few
people in the field could have encompassed it with the thoroughness and knowledge of Richard
Taruskin.”—Patrick J. Smith, The New Criterion
“Musicians, students, historians, and other readers wishing a detailed narrative about the career,
patronage, musical influences, reception, and creative production of western composers, as well as the
development of musical styles, will find this a fascinating and satisfying resource.”—Reference &
Research Library Book News
“Richard Taruskin, the most authoritative controversialist in modern musicology, has written an
Oxford History of Western Music to rival Gibbon’s Decline and Fall in ambition, literary distinction and
sheer bulk. “—David Gutman, The Independent
“There’s no doubt...that The Oxford History of Western Music is an important model of music
historiography for some years to come.”—Rob Haskins, American Record Guide
“There’s no place else to look for such a comprehensive, entertaining overview of this immense
subject.”—John W. Freeman, Opera News
“It’s likely to be remembered as the magnum opus of the most stimulating and insightful English-
languge writer on music at work today.”—Claude Bustard, Richmond Times-Dispatch
“A towering achievement.”—Melinda Bargreen, The Seattle Times“Taruskin has suceeded in writing a stimulating overview of Western society, setting a standard that
will not be surpassed for a very long time.”—Timothy J. McGee, Library Journal starred review