"The Student Conductor is a brilliant political and psychological novel, the story fascinating and always surprising. Ford's knowledge of the music, the world of conducting, and the world of the orchestra shows a deep understanding that is gratifying and touching. It was a joy to read."

—Gerard Schwarz, Music Director, Seattle Symphony

“Robert Ford writes about music and musicians with intelligence and passion: the intense struggle between master and pupil, artist and art, artist and himself. His descriptions of great symphonic music and its power over us are so compelling they fill the silence in the reader’s mind. His knowledge of the classical music world rings true on every page. I couldn’t put it down.”

—Hugh Wolff, Chief Conductor, Frankfurt Radio Orchestra

“The Student Conductor is a gripping and compelling story that accurately captures the power that music holds over its practitioners. Interwoven within the dramatic story, the author captures with amazing accuracy the challenges of learning how to conduct. In fact, some of the young conductor traumas he describes were so reminiscent o my own past that I felt like I was reading my own biography.”

—Andrew Litton, Music Director, Dallas Symphony Orchestra

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