Why Mahler?: How One Man and Ten Symphonies Changed Our World | 
pickI love Mahler. After DvoÅ™ák, he's my favorite composer. I loved about 90% of this book. What I didn't love was Lebrecht's pre-occupation with cutting down Alma Mahler. The section outlining the recordings could've been cut. So much of that is personal opinion. With all of that, it's still a pick.
It really bums me out how much Mahler's wife, Alma, is disparaged by Lebrecht. I'm going to finish the book because of my love for Mahler, but my rating is going to reflect this unneeded bashing of Alma.
"What's best in the music is not to be found in the notes."
I love Mahler. I've been wanting to get to this one for awhile.
