"Siek opens with two considerations: new technologies of digital keyboards are evolving at a quick pace; colleges or conservatories increasingly emphasize music on instruments constructed during the composer's lifetime—period instruments. ... The entries for pianists include those who perform, compose, and teach classical (art music), jazz, and popular styles. ... Siek presents a bibliography of more general sources. The author uses the Acoustic Society of America (ASA) standard for pitch identification, outlined on page ix. The Modified Helmholtz system is presented for comparison, as many museums use Helmholtz. Entries include well placed cross-references in the articles (as bold print) to guide users to relevant entries. These prove especially useful in the biographies (linking pianists to their teachers), piano manufacturers, such as Aeolian Company and Knabe (linking these to mergers or competitors), and genres, such as rag or ragtime (linking to composers and notable performers). ... Siek presents quick access to major piano manufacturers and performers."

"I would like to express my unqualified admiration for a truly worthwhile volume, Dr. Stephen Siek's A Dictionary for the Modern Pianist, and my gratitude to him for writing it at this particular moment in the history of the pianistic art. It is really more than a dictionary for pianists, but rather for anyone with a more than passing interest in piano performance and recording (or with the challenge of finding a gift for a loved one fitting one of those descriptions!) From the moment my copy arrived, it has shared company with the primary pianist reference books I consult regularly, those of Abram Chasins, Jan Holcman and Harold C. Schonberg. ... Siek's book shares the most praiseworthy attributes of each. It is meticulously researched and beautifully rendered. I can vouch for the accuracy and penetrating insight of the entries which deal with my primary scholarly interests, Sergei Rachmaninoff and Jorge Bolet. But whenever I consult an entry on any person or subject, I often find myself drawn to read others in the same alphabetic neighborhood because Siek has enriched the customary biographical detail with very uncustomary amusing anecdotes and commentary from scholars and connoisseurs expert on particular pianists. Specialized dictionaries of this kind usually have a shelf-life of a decade or two, except for the best of them. I wouldn't be surprised if Siek's Dictionary turns out to be one of those exceptions."

"In recent years, titles in the Dictionaries for the Modern Musician series have received favorable reception, and this recent volume by Stephen Siek is no exception. ... The true value of this volume lies in the range and depth of the over three hundred profiles of major pianists and piano teachers of the last two hundred years. Each of these lengthy, fully researched biographical profiles (almost two full pages) provides information of interest for both students and professionals. More than dry recitations of facts, the multidimensional portraits of musical personalities offer a variety of viewpoints. ..."

"A Dictionary for the Modern Pianist is a worthy companion volume to the books by Hinson and Palmieri. While Hinson's dictionary offers a more extensive list of musical terms related to general performance as well as some biographical entries, it cannot compare with the extensive essays contained in Siek's volume. Palmieri provides a similar range and selection of topics, with individually authored entries and a detailed index, and offers more illustrations and diagrams. Siek's book, however, highlights a number of younger, contemporary personalities and employs a narrative style with a very engaging, personal tone, which makes what could be highly technical (and in some cases, rather didactic) material come alive for the reader."

"A Dictionary for the Modern Pianist is an important reference work for public or academic libraries and university music departments as well as the private collections of pianists and teachers. Most readers will easily understand the terminology and engage with the clear and straightforward writing. The reading level is appropriate for both secondary and collegiate audiences, and the sturdy hardcopy binding will withstand use from a number of students perusing the volume for assignments or just leisure reading. Piano teachers discussing the performance practices of particular compositions could refer to the book's entries on specific pianists known for performing those works. Also, while demonstrating a performance technique, they could consult an illustration of the components of the piano to illuminate how to produce specific sounds or effects. Beyond library and department offices, this is a handy book to keep in the piano studio for pedagogical purposes."