Among the many achievements of a long life, Nicolas Slonimsky introduced modern music, and American music in particular, to foreign and domestic audiences through conducting, writing, lecturing, and interacting with composers andmusicians of all nationalities. From his travels as musical ambassador, he wrote letters to his wife, the art critic Dorothy Adlow, vividly and humorously describing his adventures. Though personal, these letters are valuable in documenting his life as a musical ambassador who traveled between nations and their musical cultures, introduced the new to the resistant old, brought the outsiders inside, and stepped through newly opened doors to tell of what was in the air outside. He carried out this mission by writing, talking, conducting, performing-always energetic, persuasive, eager to be heard. His ability to translate and interpret, speaking several languages and traversing different musical styles, rested upon his exceptional musical talents, his profound...