The Cleveland Orchestra Story: "Second to None"

"One of the very best books ever written about a symphony orchestra." -- Tim Page, 1997 recipient of the Pulitzer Prize for Criticism for his writings on music for the Washington Post.

How did a late-blooming midwestern orchestra rise amid gritty Big Industry to become a titan in the world of Big Art? This groundbreaking book tells the complete story of the people and events that shaped the Cleveland Orchestra into a classical music legend.

It's a story of indomitable founders like iron-willed impresario Adella Prentiss Hughes (the first woman to manage a symphony orchestra) and shrewd, wealthy patrons like industrialist John L. Severance. Of dedicated musicians and driven conductors--like colorful Artur Rodzinski (who packed a loaded pistol during every performance) and authoritarian genius George Szell, who drilled into his orchestra the awesome precision for which it is still renowned (and who even told his players how to dress and the cleaning ladies at Severance Hall what brand of toilet paper to stock).

These musicians, maestros, managers, and patrons fought relentlessly to earn and maintain a reputation for near-perfect performance--in a true virtuoso performance.

Donald Rosenberg taps the most authoritative sources and tells a complex, sweeping success story in very human terms, with an eye for its telling details and a feel for its true drama. Told with plenty of anecdotes and intriguing behind-the-scenes details.

Manages to be both crammed full of facts and a good, fast-paced read . . . it's about as comprehensive--and entertaining--a history of a great musical organization you're likely to encounter. -- Book Reviewer "Boston Herald"

A meticulously researched, in-depth, eloquently told account, and quite possibly the finest of its kind ever written, at least in English . . . a gripping story that the reader, once engaged, can put aside only with the greatest difficulty -- Book Reviewer "Schwann Opus Magazine"

Should be required reading for every music and architecture student in America . . . Comes as close to a true account of how a successful symphony orchestra operates in a major American city as I can imagine anyone writing . . . A fascinating history . . . a story written with admiration, respect and affection, but also with a candor and detail. -- David Walton (Pittsburgh) "The Plain Dealer"

Absorbing. -- Book Reviewer "The New Yorker"

Much more than a history of one of the finest U.S. orchestras . . . Donald Rosenberg has written a fascinating account of music, musicians, politics, unbridled egos, and business that engages the reader like a good mystery novel . . . thoroughly researched, well documented, and very well written. -- Book Reviewer "Library Journal"

A readable, colorful and fascinating chronicle that is an indispensable addition to any orchestra lover's library. -- Book Reviewer "Cincinnati Enquirer"

Absorbing reading, not merely a reference piece. Nor is it a lazy view of the subject from the rear of the balcony . . . Irresistible, tremendously informative and a just plain good read. And yes, it should be in the library of every lover of symphonic music and certainly every collector of books on music. Period! -- Book Reviewer "New Music Connoisseur"

Manages to be both crammed full of facts and a good, fast-paced read . . . it's about as comprehensive--and entertaining--a history of a great musical organization you're likely to encounter.--T.J Medrek"The Boston Herald" (09/29/2000)

A meticulously researched, in-depth, eloquently told account, and quite possibly the finest of its kind ever written, at least in English . . . A gripping story that the reader, once engaged, can put aside only with the greatest difficulty . . . Fascinating anecdotes, quips, stories, facts and events are found on nearly every page . . . Will fascinate not only Cleveland Orchestra fans but anyone interested in how a great orchestra is created and how it operates on a daily basis.--Robert Markow"Schwann Opus Magazine" (06/01/2001)

A fascinating history of the tangled but sometimes fruitful relationship between politics and the arts in America--a story written with admiration, respect and affection, but also with a candor and detail . . . Highly detailed and informative, but written with ease and authority and dramatic immediacy . . . A frank, detailed account of how an important performing company operates in a large American city.--David critic"The Plain Dealer" (10/08/2000)