REVIEWS

I'm loving the book, clear, and VERY informative. This should be required reading for musicians. It is certainly an eye-opener for me. . . .  a gift for writing! 

 --Brooks de Wetter-Smith, Emeritus Professor of Flute, UNC

THE book I'm reading when I'm on tour. As a musician and a composer and a human being who has walked the planet for 67 years with some observation skills, I find the book to be very interesting.

 –Chris Brubeck

It’s as if, while I read, I’m having marvelously intriguing conversation with you on topics I’ve always been interested in.

 -Philadelphia Orchestra member

Thank God the void left by the sublime Oliver Sacks has finally been filled.

–Maria Thompson, Concert pianist from Juilliard

I got carried away. The words flow with a lot of charm and effortlessness. 

–Dan Stolper, Oboist, Past Editor, The International Double Reed

I think musicians and non-musicians alike will get a lot out of the information in its pages, but it’s also entertaining and very well written. 

–Nancy Bean, former Associate Concertmaster, Philadelphia Orchestra

. . . the most important book on music to appear in years.

 –John Poynter, professor of History and pianist

I devoured it with pleasure and admiration for the thorough, educated research into the effects of music on the brain. 

–Justiniano Campa, MD, PhD, Professor of Neurology

I loved  Theme and Variations and have given copies to my musician friends. When I got near the end, I  had tears in my eyes because I only had two more chapters to enjoy.

-Board Member, Berkeley Symphony

It’s clear he knows his stuff, and he makes the science of music understandable throughout this work. 

–Kirkus Reviews

Tremendously interesting and enjoyable. Dr. Ellenberger's ear, trained for the flute, obviously extends to the music of the English language as well. 

–Phil DeMuth, Psychologist, musician, investment advisor

Seldom do you find an author so competent in two fields and with the ability to integrate them in such a way that the reader is awestruck. This is a wonderful read.

 –Diane Ross, Professor Emerita, Cal State

A fascinating and personal account of the relationship between music and the brain ranging from the development and plasticity of the brain in children to music as an adjunct to treatments of dementia and Parkinson's disease.

 –Annette Jordan, NetGalley Reviews

This book raises many compelling ideas about music: its joys and its effects on mind and body, increasingly important as funding is cut as we see funding cut for music in schools, rise in dyslexia and hyperactivity among kids, and increases among baby boomers of diseases linked to aging.

 –Richard Arnold, Australian Radio

I actually quite enjoyed reading how learning music can be beneficial to a developing brain and how the benefits continue as the brain ages.

 –Melise Gerber, NetGalley Review

What a great book! I learned a lot about the relationship between music education and neuroscience. I also enjoyed the latter, more biographical section. A must read for musicians and non-musicians!

 –Johanna Byloff, NetGalley Review

I loved the book though I didn't understand the science." 

-John Dalley, Guarnieri String Quartet

 A Masterful Blend of Personal Memoir and Cultural History

Dr. Carl Ellenberger’s "Mozart in the Woods "works beautifully on multiple levels. As someone interested in both classical music and our cultural institutions, I found this memoir captivating.

What sets this book apart is Ellenberger's ability to weave together so many rich historical threads. The story begins in 19th-century Mt. Gretna, Pennsylvania, as it unfolds through the Chautauqua movement and into the 50-year journey of Gretna Music, from informal neighborhood concerts to a nationally recognized festival.

Dr. Ellenberger's dual expertise as both a neurologist and trained flutist gives him a unique perspective. The documentation is impressive: over 750 concerts and 2,000+ musicians from six continents, yet he keeps the story personal and engaging as you are transported to Mt. Gretna’s historic plein air playhouse.

Ellenberger is unflinching honest about the challenges: financial crises, leadership struggles, and the broader difficulties facing classical music today. This candor makes the festival's successes all the more meaningful and provides real-world lessons for anyone involved in arts administration or nonprofit management.

Ultimately, this is a story about how passionate individuals create lasting cultural institutions. Both deeply personal and broadly instructive, I recommend it to music lovers, arts administrators, and anyone curious about how small-scale cultural organizations can not only survive but thrive over decades.

--Amazon Reader

I'm about halfway through the book, and I can't contain my enthusiasm for it. What a wonderful and amazing accomplishment!  Ellenberger is a marvelous writer. It's a fascinating history of Mt Gretna and also a delightful primer on music. The quotes selected throughout give added insight and depth.

--F. Opalinski

Motzart in the Woods is a really captivating book. It covers the journey of Gretna Music from a small, intimate event in Pennsylvania’s woods to a well-loved cultural institution. The book highlights the magic of the performances and the dedication of everyone involved. It’s really inspiring and heartwarming, perfect for anyone who loves music and the arts.

--Sally Bomberger