Defending the Music

Abstract Defending the Music: Michael Steinberg at the Boston Globe, 1964–1976 gathers approximately 300 of the more than 2,000 reviews, essays, and features written by the eminent musicologist and critic during a particularly rich period in Boston’s musical history, a time when symphonic, chamber, and choral music, opera, early music, and new music all thrived. Writing with wit, elegance, and masterful command of music and language, and applying exacting standards that grew from his own love and passion for music, Steinberg saw himself both as teacher and advocate. He also possessed a rare gift in his ability to make complex aspects of music easy to understand. Never one to shy away from controversy when “defending the music,” Steinberg provoked strong reactions, both pro and con, from the public. His defense of intellectually formidable music, repertoire in danger of being forgotten, emerging composers and performers, and the role of the critic were deeply personal. The selections provide readers a wide-ranging historical overview: they stand as witness to some of the most important music and music-making of the period while being of equal interest to a wide variety of concertgoers, music aficionados, record collectors, and students. At the same time, this volume takes its place alongside previously published compilations by such distinguished music critics and essayists as Virgil Thomson, Andrew Porter, and Alex Ross.