Oxford University Press

Rarely does one pick up a musicological/biographical study such as this and find oneself drawn in at every level so putting it down becomes as hard as shutting the latest novel by one's favourite... — Organists' Review More…

Gorgeously written...Sachs sets a furious narrative tempo from the get-go, each page seemingly revealing a nugget of information that history was hitherto reluctant to divulge...This man made... — Gramophone Magazine More…

a beautifully presented book that is meticulously documented...and includes a generous number of photographs, illustrations, and musical examples...[a] superb monograph, Walter Aaron Clark has... — Music and Letters More…

I am sure that Russell Stinson's attractive monograph will encourage still more Bachians to venture into the field of reception — Music and Letters More…

Engrossing reading — Gramophone Magazine More…

He makes one hungry to hear the operas once again and reconsider one's own response-what can be higher praise for music criticism — Washington Post More…

Each chapter contains thought-provoking discussions that will intellectually engage readers, even those who are unmoved, or perhaps repelled, by Wagner's music and ideas.... This book plunges... — Library Journal More…