Fifty years ago, something special happened in the remote woods of Pennsylvania, and its song still carries on the wind today. In 1976, Carl Ellenberger, a musician before becoming a physician, gathered friends in a nineteenth-century Chautauqua Auditorium in Pennsylvania's Amish country. They thought it was a beautiful location to play the music they loved, and that it would also be fun. That gentle beginning turned into the organization called Gretna Music and nearly five decades of summer music-making, drawing audiences from across the Mid-Atlantic region to hear over 750 exceptional performances by more than 2,000 musicians from five continents. Gretna Music has welcomed the Audubon String Quartet, Dave Brubeck, Ravi Coltrane, Canadian Brass, Susanna Phillips, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, Sonny Rollins, and Hilary Hahn, to name just a few. Within "Mozart in the Woods: Gretna Music's 50 Years" are their stories and the stories of Mt. Gretna and its residents: from financial collapse to the literal physical collapse of the hall, from cultural evolution to existential arguments over artistic integrity. Gretna Music has weathered storms, celebrated joyfully, and thrived. Ellenberger's historical account captures this long moment in time, which has simultaneously passed in the blink of an eye, while also offering a blueprint for similar endeavors. "Mozart in the Woods" is perfect for audiences and performers alike, as well as for students of performance and performance management. Dear Carl, I just finished your marvelous book. The historical details and musical insights are a treasure. I assume that you are a disciplined journalist to have included such rich detail from every decade. However, most astounding to me is your timeless devotion to music at Gretna, in the face of enormous challenges: venue, audiences, finances, staffing, more finances.... At every point, you could have (justifiably) thrown in the towel and found your musical satisfaction elsewhere. Instead, you persisted and ultimately succeeded for the sake of superb music-making in this community. As I've mentioned to you previously, we bought our cottage in 2013 primarily because of Gretna Music. The program was robust then, and we've loved every season since, but I had no idea of the turmoil and trial that preceded that stability. I join thousands of other music lovers, grateful for all that you have accomplished, and for the team that now guides it. Far from the 'rural' slum you moved into, Mt. Gretna is a most extraordinary place. This year, we welcomed friends and family from Louisiana, Portugal, Florida, Missouri, Illinois, Maryland, Oregon, and all over Pennsylvania, in addition to those, from near and far, who rent our cottage. They, like us, cherish every moment in this place you and Emi have in large measure created. "Thank you" is so inadequate for the profound blessing we receive here. --Fred Opalinski After finishing your Mount Gretna saga I must say it is lovely - intensely so. It is heartening that you have recounted all this and are passing on the story so it is never lost. It is the essence of music and community emerging from love of the art, and powered by your creative intention, super talent and the efforts of many others. The roster of musical greatness you have brought to your mountain home is astounding. How great to hear so many powerhouse musicians in such close quarters - there would be nothing better. Seriously: Marc-Andre Hamelin, Leon Fleischer Joerg Demus, Midori and on and on - Carnegie Hall is thrilled to host such a lineup. The register of jazz artists also is remarkable, including many I have heard and many I would love to have heard. Stephane Grapelli was iconic. Cleo Laine has shared one of the greatest jazz singing voices of our time. Marian McPartland carved out a unique role as a female jazz pianist and broadcaster, the Marsalis family is the pipeline of New Orleans jazz to the world. McCoy Tyner, Dave Brubeck, Sonny Rollins, Lionel Hampton, Count Basie, and on to classical guitar legend Christopher Parkening.............and so many more. Unbelievable what the Mount Gretna Gang has done. Congrats! --Richard Arnold Carl Ellenberger studied music at Interlochen and Eastman, medicine at Yale, practiced and taught neurology at Penn State and Case Western Reserve medical schools, and has played with some of the best musicians on the planet.