Beethoven

by George Alexander Fischer

As life broadens with advancing culture, and people are able to appropriate to themselves more of the various forms of art, the artist himself attains to greater power, his abilities increase in direct ratio with the progress in culture made by the people and their ability to comprehend him. When one side or phase of an art comes to be received, new and more difficult problems are invariably presented, the elucidation of which can only be effected by a higher development of the faculties. There is never an approach to equilibrium between the artist and his public. As it advances in knowledge of his art, he maintains the want of balance, the disproportion that always exists between the genius and the ordinary man, by rising ever to greater heights. If Bach is the mathematician of music, as has been asserted, Beethoven is its philosopher. In his work the philosophic spirit comes to the fore. To the genius of the musician is added in Beethoven a wide mental grasp, an altruistic spirit, that seeks to help humanity on the upward path. He addresses the intellect of mankind.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Biography

162 pages, Hardcover

First published November 3, 2006

Reviews

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Been wanting to read a biography of Beethoven for a while now, and this was exactly what I was looking for. Loved it. And free on Kindle - you can't go wrong.

[Dasagamabu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Biografía de Beethoven de primeros del s. XX por lo que puede adolecer de información recientemente descubierta de la vida de Beethoven. He echado en falta algunos datos como el estreno conjunto de las sinfonías 5 y 6 y un mayor entusiasmo en el relato. No obstante da una visión bastante completa de su vida.

[busisiwe mkhwanazi · Rating 4 out of 5]

IS BETTER IF YOU KNOW GERMAN

This is the third biography of Ludwig van Beethoven that I have read and I really enjoyed it. The spiritual and mystical feelings that permeate this writer 's book as they relate to the master's life I found truthful or at least it renewed in me my own thinking of the master as a lover of life that included joyful and painful moments thruout. It has always given me great courage to know that even after he understands that he is going to lose his hearing at a very young age, which for anyone would be a tragedy, but even more so for a music composer, and specially in his case knowing that he's destined to be perhaps the greatest of all he remains calmed and assure more than ever that he needs to continue developing his art, he owes it to humanity, not only of his time but for future generations......US.

[Hariyanto · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good biographical work on Beethoven's life and works, written on the beginning of the 20th century. Not very long and thorough, but gives us a good glimpse of the character of the master.