“The years of the Great Depression, World War II, and its aftermath brought a wave of change in American music, producing symphonic works of great power and lasting beauty. Introducing the symphonists and their major works, Tawa's descriptions are vivid and personal.”

“At a time when the relationship between composer and audience seems to be at the crux of the health and even survival of the classical music world, Nicholas Tawa's The Great American Symphony offers critical and telling insights into an important epoch in American musical history.”
 — JoAnn Falletta, Music Director, Buffalo Philharmonic

“Out of tragedy emerges great art. This is the message contained in the well-documented book by Nicholas Tawa. He reminds us of rich treasures, both known and yet to be rediscovered. The work will be a valuable resource for musicians, as well as lovers of perhaps, the most creative time in American music.”
 — Leonard Slatkin, Music Director, Detroit Symphony Orchestra

“A prolific writer, scholar, and advocate for American music, Tawa (emer., Univ. of Massachusetts, Boston) does not argue for a single symphony as the 'great American symphony' but instead nominates a dozen symphonic composers prominent from 1930 to 1950 among whose works a 'great American symphony' might be found. The author's excellent vignettes on these composers encompass factual and anecdotal material along with his own informed evaluation of the oeuvre of each. . . . Highly recommended.October 2009”
 — Choice

“The Great American Symphony is a significant contribution to the history of American art music. February 1, 2010”
 — Fanfare