Absolutely on Music

A fascinating collection of conversations. . . . The unpretentious and engaging dialogues between passionate artists the bewitching writer in whose novels music plays a prominent part and the indefatigable, amiable conductor make the pages fly. The New York Times

Highly entertaining. . . . A book that opens a new side of [Murakami s] authorial persona. San Francisco Chronicle

Absolutely on Music is an unprecedented treasure. . . . Talking about music is like dancing about architecture, it s often said, but what joy to watch these two friends dance. The Guardian

Enthralling. . . . What comes through in these conversations is the devotion both men feel for music; the degree to which every detail of a work matters to them. The Seattle Times

Fascinating. . . . [Murakami s] preparation and curiosity draw out Mr. Ozawa wonderfully. The Wall Street Journal

An enviable word picture of the artistic life of two men at the top of their professional games. . . . [Absolutely on Music] offers so much that bears re-reading and considering. The Washington Times

Irresistibly seductive. Evening Standard

Refreshingly honest and enthusiastic, a mental sampler from both the writer and the musician. The Buffalo News

The book shines as a deep exploration into how a conductor does his job and how performer personalities, logistical factors, and mundane bureaucracies can change an orchestra s sound. The New Republic

Intriguing insights about the nature of music. . . . In some ways, these conversations are High Fidelity for classical music fans. Publishers Weekly

A strange and delightful book. . . . [Murakami] describes music with rich and suggestive metaphors and images that capture something essential about the spirit of the music. The Christian Science Monitor