The Substance of Things Heard

University of Rochester Press, Rochester, N.Y., 2005     ISBN: 9781580462068
Boydell & Brewer, Woodbridge, Suffolk, 2005     ISBN: 9781580462068


‘... Griffiths writes more eloquently and with greater insight than any of his peers ... [He] achieves in his criticism a felicitous equipoise, resonating between a deep engagement with the music on the one hand and a discernible communicative gift on the other. Illuminating, translucent, sagacious, The Substance of Things Heard is a fine anthology, and an indispensable addition to the library of any serious classical music-lover.’ (Peter Quinn, The Times Literary Supplement)

‘... It is Griffiths's responsiveness to varieties of ambivalence that counts for most ... Above all, there is no mistaking the penetration and eloquence of Griffiths's own singular voice, on every page of this distinguished book.’ (Arnold Whittall, The Musical Times)

‘Griffiths has the gift of making you immediately want to listen to the music he is discussing. Not only is he among the wisest and most perceptive of modern critics, but his actual style of writing is a model of erudition, clarity, sincerity and elegance. Bons mots are here in abundance.’ (Philip Borg-Wheeler, Classical Music)