Last Master, The: Passion and Anger - Volume 1

The Last Master #1

by John Suchet

Triumphantly rendered, this fictionalized biography of Ludwig van Beethoven is a story as immortal as the composer's music. John Suchet journeys through Beethoven's early years as child prodigy to his later life as a musical master, haunted by personal tragedies. Based firmly on fact, this novel is sure to capture an audience of classical music devotees as well as history buffs.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Music

624 pages, Paperback

First published November 7, 1996

About the author

John Suchet presents Classic FM's flagship morning programme. His informative style of presentation, coupled with a deep knowledge of classical music, has won a wide spectrum of new listeners to the station. Before turning to classical music, John was one of the UK's best known television newscasters, 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. He is the author of several bestselling composer biographies, including Beethoven: The Man Revealed.

Reviews

[Harvey Tordoff · Rating 3 out of 5]

There can be no doubt that Beethoven's music was inspired, and his journey from a humble background on the Rhine to the royal courts of Vienna is itself inspirational. Sadly, the writing in this book is not in the same league.

This, the first volume of three, covers the time from Beethoven's birth to when, aged 32, he has just written his second symphony. More crucially, he has finally accepted the fact that his increasing deafness will never be cured and he is in despair that without his hearing his life as a musician and composer is as good as over. And life without his music would be no life at all.

In making this a fictional biography Suchet has given himself licence to elaborate on events and conversations to give us more of a feel for Ludwig's character. In this he succeeds, but at over 600 pages the book contains too much mundane detail and too many repetitions. Too many carafes of wine; too many clenching of fists; grateful gulping of glasses of wine; wincing at some slight, real or imagined, from one of his brothers; too many buzzes and rushing sounds in his head. With more rigorous editing the book could shed 100 pages and be a much more compelling read.

Ultimately, however, the story of Beethoven is the story of his music, and Suchet presents this coherently, movingly and with understanding.

[Trevor Vick · Rating 5 out of 5]

The life and times of LVB in the form of a fictionalised account of his early years. Born on the banks of the Rhine, driven to Vienna by ambition and Napoleon where he wrote his early works. Culminating in despair as deafness takes hold. Riveting stuff and there are two more books covering the remainder of his life.

[Mandy Holzer · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining treatment on the life of one of the most fascinating human beings who ever lived.

[Dick Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

LVB 1770-1827. His father Johann (1740-1792) was an alcoholic. His grandfather Ludwig (1712-1773) was a Kapellmeister and died when LVB was only 3. LVB did not get along well with his father, who was always trying to get LVB to do more to earn money for the family. LVB was a difficult person, and did not get along well with his brothers, especially the next youngest Carl (1774-1815). This volume ends in the year 1802. LVB has completed his 2nd Symphony, and the Moonlight Sonata. He is going deaf and is very worried about it. He has a big fight with Carl, but is quickly reconciled with him. This book is well worth the reading, not only for the insight one gets into the personality and character of LVB, but also the wealth of historical background that is provided. The history of Franco-German-Austrian hostilities after the French Revolution is brought out well, and was a revelation to me who was not familiar with this aspect of European history. The many conversations portrayed are of course fictitious, but are nevertheless believable. The book leaves me impatient to begin Volume II, which covers the period when the most important works of LVB were composed, and also covers that unfortunate period when LVB becomes obsessed with the well-being of Carl’s son, Karl. I also look forward to how Suchet describes the relationship between LVB and Carl’s wife Johanna Reiss, especially after the sensational hypothesis put forward in the work, “Immortal Beloved.” I am going to rate this book at 8 out of 10.

[James Henderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The redemption theme of Prometheus* floated into his mind. Just the music. His music. No noises. No whistling, or rushing, or buzzing, or pain." (p 609)

The first volume of John Suchet's trilogy, a novel based on the life of Beethoven, takes his life from birth through his famous Heiligenstadt Testament of 1802, Beethoven's acknowledgement of the incurability of his growing deafness. We read of his beginnings where the prodigy emerges from the shadow of his father's thwarted ambitions to develop his own unique place in the musical life of the European capital of music, Vienna. By the end of this part of his life, Napoleon was on the precipice overlooking the rest of Europe and Beethoven was on the verge of greatness. The author deftly weaves important moments in young Ludwig's life into a narrative that rivals other fictional musical bildungsromans. I am reminded of Jean-Christophe, a novel about a German composer by Romain Rolland who adored Beethoven. The composer Beethoven was influenced not only by family relationships but by the musical world around him, including the devastation of Mozart's death. In it all we see the development of his personality, his vision, and his genius.

[Diane Acosta · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fictionalized idea of who Beethoven was, written by someone who has spent much time researching the composer's life. I find that the fictionalized account really follows the events in his life well, as well as makes the reading more engaging that your average text on the long-dead genius.Beethoven comes across more so as a real person with feelings, love,anger,family problems,and the whole range of human-ness that we often forget about when we are in awe of his amazing music Kudos for Mr.Suchet for taking on such a tough job! That said, there are times in this series where the characters are a bit too contrived and soap-opera like.. But I suppose that is necessary to add the human emotional element. I have quickly gone through the 3 books in this series. I do recommend this for people who are beginning to learn about Beethoven's life who also find biographies tedious to read. This series brings a bit of life from the past.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

After having ploughed through the Thayer's and digested all the facts and figures, I thought I would read John Suchet's spin on the tale. I risk it because I know John's adoration of the master equals mine, so I trust him not to give it the Holywood treatment (ie: distort history to make a better tale).