In the introduction to "Ten American Cello Etudes", Minsky speaks about how in the past composers were able to bend music in order to reflect their time period and country.
He argues that certain instruments like the guitar and bass were able to make the transition into modern popular music while the cello was assigned a "dignified yet restricted" role.
Since publication, "Ten American Cello Etudes" have been performed around the world.
They have been recorded by Lawrence Stomberg, professor of cello, University of Delaware (U.S.), and David Johnstone, principal cellist of the Sarasate Symphony (Spain).
Jeffrey Solow, chair of the Department of Instrumental Studies at Temple University (Pennsylvania), and editor of The Violoncello Society Newsletter (New York), included "Ten American Cello Etudes" in his published list of "standard cello repertoire."