Classical Music in America

“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).

"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... 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 "...Horowitz's important and in many ways provocative new book..." David Nicholls, The Times Literary Supplement"

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.