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Beethoven: The Man Revealed

Beethoven: The Man Revealed

by JohnSuchet (Author)

  • Used

    Illustrated 2012

    $4.19
Synopsis

It is perhaps more true of Beethoven than any other composer that if you know what is going on in his life, you listen to his music through different ears. Ludwig van Beethoven's life - its dramas, conflicts, loves and losses, his deafness coupled with continuous health problems, his epic struggle with his sister-in-law for sole custody of her son, his nephew - is played out in his music. Now John Suchet has portrayed the real man behind the music in this compelling biography of a musical genius. He reveals a difficult and complex character, struggling to continue his profession as musician despite increasing deafness, alienating friends with unprovoked outbursts of anger one moment, overwhelming them with excessive kindness and generosity the next, living in a city in almost constant disarray because of war with France. This is not the god-like immortal portrayed in statues and paintings in heroic pose garlanded with laurel leaves. Beethoven may have been one of the greatest artists who ever lived, but he was still a man who had to live among fellow mortals, eat and drink, fall in love, pay his rent. This is the real Beethoven, and Suchet brings him effortlessly to life.

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More Information

Format: Illustrated
 Pages: 288
 Edition: First Edition
 Publisher: Elliott & Thompson
Published: 04 Oct 2012
ISBN 10: 190764279X
ISBN 13: 9781907642791
Book Overview: * A comprehensive single volume biography of Beethoven, one of the world's most loved composers, with a strong focus on Beethoven's early life, often ignored by other biographers.; * Based on extensive research, including sources never previously published in English.; * Fully illustrated with archive images as well as contemporary photography from the author's own retracing of Beethoven's travels.; * High-profile author, and book will be supported by extensive Classic FM promotion and author signing tour.; * John Suchet is a recognised authority on Beethoven and has toured the UK extensively lecturing on the composer's life.

Media Reviews
I have loved and performed Beethoven since I was very young and have read a good deal about the life and times of this giant among composers, but John Suchet's infectious enthusiasm and fascination, probing the details behind every step of his life, and turning sensitive sleuth when the facts are less clear, opens new vistas and makes for a gripping and thought-provoking read. -- Howard Shelley, Pianist and Conductor; John Suchet offers us a fascinating and touchingly human insight into a great figure who has consumed him for decades. By exercising a genuine authority in identifying how Beethoven, the man, manifests himself in our appreciation of the music, Suchet brings an incisive freshness to an extraordinary life. The results in his 'Beethovenia' are always rigorously researched and accompanied by a child-like passion to communicate the composer's true essence. -- Jonathan Freeman-Attwood, Principal of the Royal Academy of Music; Beethoven's music continues to form one of the cornerstones of the concert repertoire some 200 years after it was written, and its sheer ingenuity and inventiveness never cease to amaze the perceptive listener. Knowing the context in which it was written can aid our understanding of the music, and every biography of Beethoven's unusual life has something new to say. Although some aspects of his life, such as his deafness, and his great love for his only nephew, are well known, this book also includes many details that are less familiar. John Suchet writes with infectious enthusiasm, and his avoidance of technical detail makes this a biography that can be read and understood by anyone interested in the composer. -- Professor Barry Cooper, University of Manchester; John Suchet's wonderfully readable biography of Beethoven will give a fresh insight for many people into the happenings behind the music. Beautifully illustrated, it will appeal to the music lover who wants to enhance the experience of listening to some of the greatest music ever written. -- Angela Hewitt, Pianist; I found myself reading and enjoying it almost as a story rather than a factual account. The lives and relationships of the Strauss family were certainly fascinating ... John Suchet skilfully mixes the family dramas with informative details of history and place and no great knowledge of music is needed to enjoy this book -- Nudge-Book.com; Suchet ... very knowledgeable music presenter on Classic FM radio station, tells the story clearly, logically and with entertaining language -- Army Rumour Service
Author Bio
John Suchet presents the flagship morning programme on Classic FM, the UK's most popular classical music station. His informative style of presentation, coupled with a deep knowledge of classical music, has won a wide spectrum of new listeners to the station. In particular John is recognised as a leading authority on the life and works of Ludwig van Beethoven. He has previously published five books on the composer. This, the sixth, is his first full-length biography of Beethoven. Before turning to classical music, John was one of the UK's best known television newscasters. As a reporter for ITN he covered world events, including the Iran revolution, the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, and the Philippines revolution. He then became a newscaster, regularly presenting ITN's flagship News at Ten, as well as all other bulletins, over a period of nearly 20 years. John has been honoured for both roles. In 1986 he was voted Television Journalist of the Year, in 1996 Television Newscaster of the Year, and in 2008 the Royal Television Society awarded him its highest accolade, a Lifetime Achievement Award. John has been given an honorary degree by his old university, the University of Dundee, and in 2001 the Royal Academy of Music awarded him an Honorary Fellowship in recognition of his work on Beethoven.