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貝多芬：完成生命的意志
叢書系列：發現之旅 07
貝多芬以他的「第九交響曲」，為自己樹立了壯觀的音樂紀念碑。從全曲一開始，氣勢恢宏的樂聲就震懾住聽眾，隨即切入第一主題：先出現音階中的第五級（A），然後是第一音級（D），隨後又下行到下屬音（G），如此以往，形成自然和弦。這個音型預示了生命與死亡的肇端。在前兩個樂章裡，貝多芬始終是在與死神抗爭。即使在第二樂章急板（Presto）過後，還是覺得死神在肩後注視，那柔和的音符，無非是表示一個幽靈翱翔於上空，對整個場景投下匆匆一瞥而已。在第三樂章，掙扎進入最後階段。小號表現死神在敲門；貝多芬則用提琴來拒絕死神。直到最後一刻，他的回答始終是「不」！但在樂章結尾，他終於遇見了這無法躱避的死神。第四樂章，我們的心看見貝多芬進入天國。第四樂章就在向我們敍說這個過程。貝多芬覺得，現有的樂隊編制已不足以表達他想要說的。於是，他轉而求助於所有樂器的眞正源頭──人聲。藉一種刻意營造，並具有象徵意義的移轉，把人聲引進了交響曲。在第四樂音的引子部份，低音提琴奏出的宣敍調，不停地為前面三個樂章的主題所插斷。這意味什麼呢。這時，獨唱演員唱出了第一句：「啊，朋友，何必……」對此作出了解釋。確實，衝突應平息，痛苦和死亡的回憶也應當過去了。讓我們高唱起更愉快、更歡樂的歌來吧！這部作品的主題就是「歡樂拯救人類」。
成為音樂家以後，耳朶卻聾了：貝多芬，音樂史上最富悲劇色彩的靈魂，命迎之神對他是如此嚴酷。但貝多芬超越殘疾，走過歷史的狂風爆雨、維也納人文世界的騷動，及一生的坎坷行程。以偉岸的的英雄意志、強烈而博大的感情、創新的音樂語言，他成為浪漫主義音樂之父。
「燦爛的陽光，穿過這個王國深邃的黑暗。身軀龐大的幽靈盤旋飛舞，愈來愈逼近，最後攫住了我們。但當充滿狂喜的樂聲傳來之際，它們畢竟感到恐慌，行將四處逃竄。苦難並未能摧毀愛情、希望和歡樂，我們渴望在這苦難中爆發出吶喊，哪怕跟那些充滿激情的聲音並不協調──我們將繼續生活下去，眼前就是那些令人心亂神迷的幻象……。評論家說，對貝多芬而言，根本不存在冥思苦想、斟酌樂句的問題；以他的天才，他只要憑著狂熱的靈感，就能奮筆疾書，一揮而就。可是，我們之所以這麼說，是否正好說明了我們可憐的目光，無法洞悉那貫串於貝多芬作品之中的深刻思想呢！」
霍夫曼（E. T. A. Hoffmann）《克萊斯勒軼聞》
-作者簡介-
Philippe A. Autexier
音樂評論家，先後在法國、義大利、德國、英國和美國的多斯音樂學院和大學任教。從事音樂評論和音樂史的寫作。曾為法國電台的音樂及文化專欄節目，英國廣播公司及瑞士、德國的電臺節目，撰寫廣播稿。
-目錄-
第一章：前程似錦
第二章：孤獨之路
第三章：大放異彩
第四章：邁向勝利
第五章：苦澀人生
第六章：人類的讚歌
見證與文獻
圖片目錄與出處
索引
貝多芬以他的「第九交響曲」，為自己樹立了壯觀的音樂紀念碑。從全曲一開始，氣勢恢宏的樂聲就震懾住聽眾，隨即切入第一主題：先出現音階中的第五級（A），然後是第一音級（D），隨後又下行到下屬音（G），如此以往，形成自然和弦。這個音型預示了生命與死亡的肇端。在前兩個樂章裡，貝多芬始終是在與死神抗爭。即使在第二樂章急板（Presto）過後，還是覺得死神在肩後注視，那柔和的音符，無非是表示一個幽靈翱翔於上空，對整個場景投下匆匆一瞥而已。在第三樂章，掙扎進入最後階段。小號表現死神在敲門；貝多芬則用提琴來拒絕死神。直到最後一刻，他的回答始終是「不」！但在樂章結尾，他終於遇見了這無法躱避的死神。第四樂章，我們的心看見貝多芬進入天國。第四樂章就在向我們敍說這個過程。貝多芬覺得，現有的樂隊編制已不足以表達他想要說的。於是，他轉而求助於所有樂器的眞正源頭──人聲。藉一種刻意營造，並具有象徵意義的移轉，把人聲引進了交響曲。在第四樂音的引子部份，低音提琴奏出的宣敍調，不停地為前面三個樂章的主題所插斷。這意味什麼呢。這時，獨唱演員唱出了第一句：「啊，朋友，何必……」對此作出了解釋。確實，衝突應平息，痛苦和死亡的回憶也應當過去了。讓我們高唱起更愉快、更歡樂的歌來吧！這部作品的主題就是「歡樂拯救人類」。
成為音樂家以後，耳朶卻聾了：貝多芬，音樂史上最富悲劇色彩的靈魂，命迎之神對他是如此嚴酷。但貝多芬超越殘疾，走過歷史的狂風爆雨、維也納人文世界的騷動，及一生的坎坷行程。以偉岸的的英雄意志、強烈而博大的感情、創新的音樂語言，他成為浪漫主義音樂之父。
「燦爛的陽光，穿過這個王國深邃的黑暗。身軀龐大的幽靈盤旋飛舞，愈來愈逼近，最後攫住了我們。但當充滿狂喜的樂聲傳來之際，它們畢竟感到恐慌，行將四處逃竄。苦難並未能摧毀愛情、希望和歡樂，我們渴望在這苦難中爆發出吶喊，哪怕跟那些充滿激情的聲音並不協調──我們將繼續生活下去，眼前就是那些令人心亂神迷的幻象……。評論家說，對貝多芬而言，根本不存在冥思苦想、斟酌樂句的問題；以他的天才，他只要憑著狂熱的靈感，就能奮筆疾書，一揮而就。可是，我們之所以這麼說，是否正好說明了我們可憐的目光，無法洞悉那貫串於貝多芬作品之中的深刻思想呢！」
霍夫曼（E. T. A. Hoffmann）《克萊斯勒軼聞》
-作者簡介-
Philippe A. Autexier
音樂評論家，先後在法國、義大利、德國、英國和美國的多斯音樂學院和大學任教。從事音樂評論和音樂史的寫作。曾為法國電台的音樂及文化專欄節目，英國廣播公司及瑞士、德國的電臺節目，撰寫廣播稿。
-目錄-
第一章：前程似錦
第二章：孤獨之路
第三章：大放異彩
第四章：邁向勝利
第五章：苦澀人生
第六章：人類的讚歌
見證與文獻
圖片目錄與出處
索引
148 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1976
39 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
December 19, 2025
Information was all out of order and random. Also wish they gave us insights on each symphony.
June 4, 2014
For a small book, surprisingly chock full of interesting anecdotes. A nice read, with lovely images and illustrations.
October 30, 2021
As is my practice, this has been marked as 'contains spoilers' simply because this content is of more value to me, than anyone else. A medication vs. memory thing.
My rating is my genuine opinion, regardless of my feeling that there is no valid use in averaging "Stars"
My review's are simplified to a 'good' - 'okay' - 'bad' environment.
In my opinion, this book is 'good'.
That's my Rating and Review, everything after here is the memory-thing. Move along.
(highly editted for typo's and attitude sake) Although this is a petite book at only 12.5x17.7 cm. It's highly illustrated 142 pages presents this composer's entire life, whilst providing a commentary on the world that he lived in...date-wise, event-wise, health-wise and more. It's not necessarily a happy book, because the man's life, for the most part, wasn't a happy one. He was not a child prodigy, he wasn't hauled around by his father to sell his image, like Mozart was. He worked hard to get where he did...which wasn't often well-recieved when he initially released his compositions. He needed to have thick-skin to to deal with criticism (which is ridiculous in hindsight)...the man's work was often so far ahead of what was expected/wanted/demanded, that debuts were't well received, simply because the audience wasn't on the same page/book that he was.
However, a composer that goes deaf and not only carries on, but excels in his work, is indisputably amazing. The story of his life, isn't just a depressing story for depressing's-sake. It's the facts about what this man endured.
The sadness contained doesn't make this book a 'book to avoid'. I can't remember how many times I've read and re-read this book...and next week I'll likely not remember I just finished it today.
On the up-side, when your memory malfunctions, you can re-read a book countless times, and be surprised each time. <- if you look hard enough, there's got to be something positive to find.
My rating is my genuine opinion, regardless of my feeling that there is no valid use in averaging "Stars"
My review's are simplified to a 'good' - 'okay' - 'bad' environment.
In my opinion, this book is 'good'.
That's my Rating and Review, everything after here is the memory-thing. Move along.
(highly editted for typo's and attitude sake) Although this is a petite book at only 12.5x17.7 cm. It's highly illustrated 142 pages presents this composer's entire life, whilst providing a commentary on the world that he lived in...date-wise, event-wise, health-wise and more. It's not necessarily a happy book, because the man's life, for the most part, wasn't a happy one. He was not a child prodigy, he wasn't hauled around by his father to sell his image, like Mozart was. He worked hard to get where he did...which wasn't often well-recieved when he initially released his compositions. He needed to have thick-skin to to deal with criticism (which is ridiculous in hindsight)...the man's work was often so far ahead of what was expected/wanted/demanded, that debuts were't well received, simply because the audience wasn't on the same page/book that he was.
However, a composer that goes deaf and not only carries on, but excels in his work, is indisputably amazing. The story of his life, isn't just a depressing story for depressing's-sake. It's the facts about what this man endured.
The sadness contained doesn't make this book a 'book to avoid'. I can't remember how many times I've read and re-read this book...and next week I'll likely not remember I just finished it today.
On the up-side, when your memory malfunctions, you can re-read a book countless times, and be surprised each time. <- if you look hard enough, there's got to be something positive to find.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 14, 2019
Fun little history book with lots of good drawings and paintings, and some close up photos of Beethoven’s handwriting.
September 2, 2024
A translation from imagination to music
September 20, 2025
⭐️ - 4
I think I would have liked this man. He’s a lot more fascinating than I thought.
I think I would have liked this man. He’s a lot more fascinating than I thought.
July 6, 2012
Good, well illustrated introduction to the composer and his reputation.
June 20, 2015
Autexier presents Beethoven the composer as "hero", which he is, as are all artists.
May 15, 2018
it is like a summary of his work with some background story about his life.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews