An intensely illuminating picture of the life of a pianist from the inside… a series of brilliant essays and diaries. Just as she magnetises with her playing, so too with her words.
Edward Greenfield, Guardian Review

There are few performers who write as well as Susan Tomes, and still fewer books that convey the rigours and rewards of a performer's life with as much insight as Beyond the Notes.
Times Literary Supplement

Susan Tomes puts across her ideas about her art in writing with the same expertise and sensitivity as in her playing. In a world where musicians are often misunderstood, this book provides insights into the multifaceted life of a performing musician; sometimes inspiring, often beautiful, and occasionally depressing…A fascinating volume. ***** (five stars) Best buy of the month
Jessica Duchen, Classic FM magazine

Susan Tomes is not only a wonderful pianist but also a tremendously engaging writer. This is a book that should be read by practising musicians and music-lovers alike: here’s one performer who really can communicate in words as well as music.
James Jolly, Gramophone

Her articles about the craft of musical performance are remarkable for their freshness, honesty, intelligence and circumspection. Tomes has the knack of expressing detailed musical analysis in a way that is easily accessible to all.
The Scotsman

Susan Tomes is one of the most thoughtful and sensitive of chamber music pianists. This book reveals her talents as a writer, too, one with a capacity for imaginative enquiry and a gift for the telling phrase. … as natural and compelling a communicator in words as she is in music.
BBC Music Magazine

The book does indeed describe with rare honesty and insight the life of a professional musician…Professional musicians will sigh with recognition at page after page; non-musicians will have their eyes well and truly opened. I found the book absolutely enthralling.
Classical Music magazine

We knew that she was a superb player; now we know that she is a superb writer too.
The Independent

A joy to read.
Pianist magazine

[Tomes] writes stylishly, but unflamboyantly, often amusingly, and with unsparing candour. Very few artists have written extensively about the day-to-day experience of a professional performing musician, and none with greater illumination. … This book can be heartily recommended to anyone even moderately interested in how music is made.
Alan Blakelock in Piano magazine

This is one of the most richly suggestive books on music I've ever read, speculative and down-to-earth, studded with good things.
Richard Osborne in The Oldie