“A riveting and illuminating book.”

“Engaging and authoritative…Not only valuable and fair-minded history but an unceasingly engaging series of tales.”

“Narrator Chris Coffey’s deep voice and soft tone are a wonderful vehicle to tell this history…Coffey’s steady pace and subtle expression work splendidly in this engaging work.”

“For half a century, classical music reflected America’s identity on the world stage…A richly detailed and freshly illuminating musical/political history.”

Rosenberg masterfully tells these stories straightforwardly.”

“Rosenberg smartly frames this history as a battle between a ‘musical nationalism’ that saw classical music as a projection of national diplomacy and influence, and a ‘musical universalism¹ that emphasized its power to unite humanity…Classical music aficionados will find much enjoyable lore from a time when the music was at the center of international rivalries.”

“A clear-eyed and perspicacious work for classical music scholars and fans and anyone interested in the intersection of politics and culture.”

“Backed up by meticulous scholarship, Dangerous Melodies is clearly motivated by a great love for music; throughout this tribute to its emotional power, the author poses insightful and disturbing questions about the political uses that can be made of humanity’s deep need for artistic communication.”

“Riveting and eye opening…Thoroughly researched and well written, the book offers both scholar and general reader invaluable information through gripping stories of intrigue, heroism, and villainy.”