Russian Life of R.-aloys Mooser, Music Critic to the Tsars: Memoirs and Selected Writings

“Mooser’s memoirs in English translation, enhanced by Mary Woodside’s splendid annotations, make available an important primary source in its own right, to the benefit of music historians and music lovers alike.” – Malcom Hamrick Brown, Professor Emeritus, Indiana University, Founding Editor of the series, Russian Music Studies

“This book will be the first English translation of a primary source for the period 1890-1910 and I expect will be a welcome addition to the scholarly research already in the public domain. The fact that it also includes translation of music criticism from the Journal de Saint-Pétersbourg, never before printed, illustrating contemporaneous attitudes towards various Russian composers, including the influence their personal lives had on critical and popular evaluation of their music is an added bonus.” - John D. Kissick, Professor And Director, School of Fine Art and Music, University of Guelph

“An entertaining, illuminating romp through turn-of-the century St. Petersburg culture, narrated by an eyewitness justifiably proud of his improvised education and rise to prominence. . . .Neal Johnson is to be commended for his sparkling translation and Mary Woodside for her indispensable commentary to the memoirs, which, beyond their technical insights, attest to the power of art to shape politics.” – Dr. Simon Morrison, Associate Professor of Music, Princeton University

“As well as providing important information and source material on the cultural history of late imperial Russia and its music, these Memoirs make a significant musicological contribution. . . .Mooser’s Memoirs provide a valuable insight on what happens when musicians and music migrate from one cultural site to another.” - Dr. Friedemann Sallis, Associate Professor, University of Calgary