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The Life & Times of Beethoven: The First Angry Man
Listening Length: 5 hours and 19 minutes
In The Life & Times of Beethoven, celebrated composer and music historian Professor Robert Greenberg of San Francisco Performances gives you a unique perspective on a musical genius the likes of which the world had never seen before - or since.
Blending biography, history, and music appreciation, these 10 lectures portray Beethoven's extraordinary (and still modern-sounding) music as a direct outgrowth of his life, environment, and interior emotional landscape. What makes Beethoven's anger so special is that he was the first composer to portray his own raw (sometimes even violent) emotions directly in his music. As a result, for more than 200 years, works like his later quartets, his Hammerklavier sonata, and his Symphony No. 9, have moved, touched, and sometimes even frightened listeners in a manner almost primal.
Professor Greenberg lays bare the links between Beethoven's life and his incredible output of music. Listeners will learn:
How the crisis involving Beethoven's hearing became a catalyst for his musical creativity and originality,
How Beethoven's infatuation with Napoleon helped him change the language of Western music,
How Beethoven's "Heroic Music" helped the composer symbolically overcome his pain and unhappiness,
How six factors contributed to Beethoven's crushing fall from popular grace in 1815,
How Beethoven revolutionized the genre of string quartets during the last two years of his compositional life, and much more!
These lectures give an unforgettable perspective of an angry, alienated composer, who, nevertheless, translated personal defeats into musical triumphs.
In The Life & Times of Beethoven, celebrated composer and music historian Professor Robert Greenberg of San Francisco Performances gives you a unique perspective on a musical genius the likes of which the world had never seen before - or since.
Blending biography, history, and music appreciation, these 10 lectures portray Beethoven's extraordinary (and still modern-sounding) music as a direct outgrowth of his life, environment, and interior emotional landscape. What makes Beethoven's anger so special is that he was the first composer to portray his own raw (sometimes even violent) emotions directly in his music. As a result, for more than 200 years, works like his later quartets, his Hammerklavier sonata, and his Symphony No. 9, have moved, touched, and sometimes even frightened listeners in a manner almost primal.
Professor Greenberg lays bare the links between Beethoven's life and his incredible output of music. Listeners will learn:
How the crisis involving Beethoven's hearing became a catalyst for his musical creativity and originality,
How Beethoven's infatuation with Napoleon helped him change the language of Western music,
How Beethoven's "Heroic Music" helped the composer symbolically overcome his pain and unhappiness,
How six factors contributed to Beethoven's crushing fall from popular grace in 1815,
How Beethoven revolutionized the genre of string quartets during the last two years of his compositional life, and much more!
These lectures give an unforgettable perspective of an angry, alienated composer, who, nevertheless, translated personal defeats into musical triumphs.
6 pages, Audible Audio
Published October 15, 2019
4 people are currently reading
84 people want to read
About the author
Robert Greenberg
156 books217 followersRobert M. Greenberg is an American composer, pianist and musicologist. He has composed more than 50 works for a variety of instruments and voices, and has recorded a number of lecture series on music history and music appreciation for The Teaching Company.
Greenberg earned a B.A. in music, magna cum laude, from Princeton University and received a Ph.D. in music composition from the University of California, Berkeley. He has served on the faculties of UC Berkeley, Californiz State University, East Bay, and the San Franciso Conservatory of Music, where he was chairman of the Department of Music History and Literature as well as Director of the Adult Extension Division. Dr. Greenberg is currently Music Historian-in-residence with San Francisco Performances.
Greenberg earned a B.A. in music, magna cum laude, from Princeton University and received a Ph.D. in music composition from the University of California, Berkeley. He has served on the faculties of UC Berkeley, Californiz State University, East Bay, and the San Franciso Conservatory of Music, where he was chairman of the Department of Music History and Literature as well as Director of the Adult Extension Division. Dr. Greenberg is currently Music Historian-in-residence with San Francisco Performances.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
May 3, 2021
Знаете, как маркетологи советуют блогерам делать какой-то бесплатный контент, чтобы подписчики потом покупали их курсы по раскрутке инстаграма и инвестициям?
Вот это такой бесплатный тизер, чтобы вы пошли и купили на одибл 4 отдельных курса по Бетховену. Если ваша цель — в общих чертах представить себе биографию композитора, и вас не смущает упоминание в одном курсе Бетховена и Софии Вергары, то это вполне себе вариант.
Я, например, с ужасом выяснила, что в детстве малышку Луи охочий до славы отец колотил и чуть не привязывал веревкой к инструменту, заставляя заниматься всю ночь напролёт. Все для того, чтобы сын прославился как юный гений, как Моцарт. В итоге вырос забитый, несчастный, депрессивный, грязный, нечесаный — но ок, гений, хоть и не очень юный. У Бетховена вечно все падало из рук и ломалось, и писал он огрызками толстых столярных карандашей, так как не мог заточить обычные, не поранившись. Бедный, бедный Луи!
Вот это такой бесплатный тизер, чтобы вы пошли и купили на одибл 4 отдельных курса по Бетховену. Если ваша цель — в общих чертах представить себе биографию композитора, и вас не смущает упоминание в одном курсе Бетховена и Софии Вергары, то это вполне себе вариант.
Я, например, с ужасом выяснила, что в детстве малышку Луи охочий до славы отец колотил и чуть не привязывал веревкой к инструменту, заставляя заниматься всю ночь напролёт. Все для того, чтобы сын прославился как юный гений, как Моцарт. В итоге вырос забитый, несчастный, депрессивный, грязный, нечесаный — но ок, гений, хоть и не очень юный. У Бетховена вечно все падало из рук и ломалось, и писал он огрызками толстых столярных карандашей, так как не мог заточить обычные, не поранившись. Бедный, бедный Луи!
March 9, 2021
Although I have read several books on the life of Beethoven, I don’t get tired of learning more about him. It is hard to pick a favorite composer out of the vast array of so many musical geniuses, but Louie always comes up as numero uno on my list. This book, or I should say lecture series, reveals a few anecdotes I have never heard before. And of course Professor Greenberg is always entertaining and enlightening. I’m a little puzzled when I read reviews by people who don’t agree that he is one of the best teachers in the Great Courses series. I’ve heard all of his courses except the one on Richard Wagner, and have adored every one. Not being a Wagner fan, I have not yet gotten up the courage to hear that one, but one of these days I probably will. Anyway, musician or not, you will probably love this series. It is short and very interesting. There are no musical examples, though, so be prepared with paper and pencil to write the names of the pieces down that are mentioned so you can listen to them after the fact. If you aren’t familiar with Beethoven’s music up to now, or don’t think you like it, you will by the time you listen to enough of it. It is the best of the best!!
As weird as Louie from the Beet Garden was, he was truly a gift to humanity from God Himself. The great Ludwig van Beethoven left this world a better place for having lived in it. I for one will forever be grateful for the legacy of great music that he left us.
As weird as Louie from the Beet Garden was, he was truly a gift to humanity from God Himself. The great Ludwig van Beethoven left this world a better place for having lived in it. I for one will forever be grateful for the legacy of great music that he left us.
October 10, 2024
The Life & Times of Beethoven is a quick series of lectures on Beethoven - his background, his work, and what made him so special.
It's all quite interesting, as Greenberg is passionate about this musician and does a great job of hitting the wavetops without boring us about the details.
One thing I do think that would have added a lot of value to the audio format was some actual music clips and examples that would audibly associate his style with the various influences experienced throughout his life.
It's all quite interesting, as Greenberg is passionate about this musician and does a great job of hitting the wavetops without boring us about the details.
One thing I do think that would have added a lot of value to the audio format was some actual music clips and examples that would audibly associate his style with the various influences experienced throughout his life.
November 11, 2021
Being a Robert Greenberg fan, I've heard much of van Beethoven's life story in the Great Courses lectures, but it was good to hear it all from start to finish in this book. I would have liked snippets of his music when specific pieces were discussed, but I understand that this is a biography, not a concert. Good stuff!
July 11, 2021
This was a free download, so it eases the challenges of this book. I’m a fan of Professor Greenberg’s lectures from the Teaching Company and would recommend you go there rather than here and just read Wikipedia. Not bad, but nothing new either. If you don’t know anything about Beethoven’s life, then this will be a joy as Greenberg is always entertaining.
May 31, 2023
I really enjoyed this one and I learned a lot. The fact that he went by “Luigi” and that his last name (van Beethoven) meant “of the Beet Field” was worth the price of admission. But there was so much more. His absolutely awful childhood. His astonishing and near boundless talent. His numerous near misses (almost was a student of Mozart!) and his multiple rebirths. His craziness. His horrible health. His remarkable ability to rise above it all and create some of the most amazing music of all time.
July 13, 2021
This instructor has that perfect blend of knowing just what is most interesting with a bit of humor mixed in. This was a really interesting audiobook class. So much about Beethoven I didn’t know! I promptly came home and played Beethoven thinking about how much of his life experiences went into his dramatic music.
September 13, 2021
A free listen from Audible--I was getting tired of Edwardian stuff, but 100 years before E.M. Forster wrote Howard's End, Beethoven wrote his 5th Symphony, which Forster includes in the novel. They're all at a performance when Helen steals Leonard's umbrella, which sets up the rest of the novel and gives the novelist a chance to introduce us to the characters via their different artistic sensibilities. It's interesting to see Beethoven looming so large in Edwardian life still. In 2021, I can't think of any artist from 100 years ago that is that important to us.
Beethoven lived in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, so it's no surprise that tuberculosis racks up a body count in his biography. His mother and a brother both died of tuberculosis.
Greenberg does a good job of giving you a sense of who Beethoven was. I could have done without the freudian stuff though. I'm sure the existing biographies of Beethoven are full of it, but it makes this one feel dated. Fortunately he doesn't spend too much time on it.
Beethoven lived in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, so it's no surprise that tuberculosis racks up a body count in his biography. His mother and a brother both died of tuberculosis.
Greenberg does a good job of giving you a sense of who Beethoven was. I could have done without the freudian stuff though. I'm sure the existing biographies of Beethoven are full of it, but it makes this one feel dated. Fortunately he doesn't spend too much time on it.
May 12, 2021
I really enjoyed listening to the audio to this. It’s hard to rate non-fiction, because you are rating something you are also learning from. I appreciated the pacing of each lecture. They each incorporate a different component to Beethoven’s life.
Being a music ed major myself, I understand the power that music has, and it is so beautiful to know just how much Beethoven used it as a way of expression. His ability to put his emotions in his music, including all his madness, is what changed music. It is what keeps his music ranked at the top of the classical charts to this day.
Losing his hearing was a big disappointment but also a turning point in his musical career. He poured all his feelings into his pierces, making them his top best pieces ever. That is truly inspirational. He truly is a musical genius. I love learning about unique people, such as Beethoven, who influenced what music is today. Truly educational, and the lecturer did a great job as well!
Being a music ed major myself, I understand the power that music has, and it is so beautiful to know just how much Beethoven used it as a way of expression. His ability to put his emotions in his music, including all his madness, is what changed music. It is what keeps his music ranked at the top of the classical charts to this day.
Losing his hearing was a big disappointment but also a turning point in his musical career. He poured all his feelings into his pierces, making them his top best pieces ever. That is truly inspirational. He truly is a musical genius. I love learning about unique people, such as Beethoven, who influenced what music is today. Truly educational, and the lecturer did a great job as well!
March 28, 2023
This was a very good lecture. It is, as far as I can tell, exactly the same lecture presented in Professor Greenberg’s Great Courses lectures, Great Masters: Beethoven - His Life and Music.
The only difference is that this book does not examine clips of music, which I really enjoyed.
Professor Greenberg covers the course with his usual knowledge, humor and occasional dollops of juicy gossip. His enthusiasm for the subject makes it appealing even to those who, like me, were not connoisseurs of Beethoven’s work.
This is an interesting set of lectures, but like so much in life, the facts are better with music.
Also, I was delighted to learn that “Beethoven” means “beet farmer”.
I also wonder if Professor Greenberg will modify the lecture to note (based on recent DNA analysis of multiple locks of Beethoven’s hair) that not only was Beethoven not a royal bastard, as he claimed for decades, he wasn’t even a Beethoven.
The only difference is that this book does not examine clips of music, which I really enjoyed.
Professor Greenberg covers the course with his usual knowledge, humor and occasional dollops of juicy gossip. His enthusiasm for the subject makes it appealing even to those who, like me, were not connoisseurs of Beethoven’s work.
This is an interesting set of lectures, but like so much in life, the facts are better with music.
Also, I was delighted to learn that “Beethoven” means “beet farmer”.
I also wonder if Professor Greenberg will modify the lecture to note (based on recent DNA analysis of multiple locks of Beethoven’s hair) that not only was Beethoven not a royal bastard, as he claimed for decades, he wasn’t even a Beethoven.
September 10, 2021
Dr Greenberg introduces us to a musical genius...and one angry man!
I'll rate these lecture as 4.5...Greenberg gets a little repetitive...
In anticipation of understanding Beethoven's symphonies (my next audiobook from Audible), I wanted to get an understanding of the man and perhaps why his music so moves me. In that vein, the biography was perfect. It is often said that misery can sometimes bring out creativity...and Beethoven had plenty to be miserable about. From an abusive father to his progressive hearing loss, his life was one tragedy after another...his loneliness, despite his renown, must have weighed heavily on him.
Apparently a thoroughly unlikable guy, he must have driven folks to distraction with his tirades and broken pianos.
But his music....
I'll rate these lecture as 4.5...Greenberg gets a little repetitive...
In anticipation of understanding Beethoven's symphonies (my next audiobook from Audible), I wanted to get an understanding of the man and perhaps why his music so moves me. In that vein, the biography was perfect. It is often said that misery can sometimes bring out creativity...and Beethoven had plenty to be miserable about. From an abusive father to his progressive hearing loss, his life was one tragedy after another...his loneliness, despite his renown, must have weighed heavily on him.
Apparently a thoroughly unlikable guy, he must have driven folks to distraction with his tirades and broken pianos.
But his music....
July 21, 2021
Information I never knew that I actually found incredible to know! On one hand, Beethoven is a creative genius and then, on the other hand, his actions (with the hindsight of 200yrs) seem like a deranged genius.
I alternated between applauding him for overcoming his abusive upbringing, then cringing when he inflicted it (somewhat) on his own family.
The sad life of a great mind.
5 stars to the author/narrator - sounded just like Penn Jillette (of Penn & Teller magicians fame). His one-liner and zingers were comic gold.
I alternated between applauding him for overcoming his abusive upbringing, then cringing when he inflicted it (somewhat) on his own family.
The sad life of a great mind.
5 stars to the author/narrator - sounded just like Penn Jillette (of Penn & Teller magicians fame). His one-liner and zingers were comic gold.
October 24, 2021
This was very enjoyable and a great insight into the life of one of the most influential composers in history. Especially considering that this lecture series is currently included with Audible membership at no additional charge, I think it is well worth listening to. The lectures focus almost entirely on Beethoven’s biography rather than analysis of his music, which is made clear from the beginning.
December 6, 2021
This very short book is an interesting biography of Beethoven. It does not go in depth into his music (the author apparently has other, much longer works for that). I had no idea that Beethoven was such a troubled man, with many, many, many flaws. Were it not for his moving music, it would be easy to despise him. Perhaps there's a lesson in that. Anyway, the lecturer does his best to make it entertaining, dropping in his own jokes to keep the listener engaged.
July 24, 2023
A relatively quick biography of Beethoven in the form of ten Great Courses lectures taught by Professor Robert Greenberg. Dr. Greenberg's sense of humor is terrific, and he does a fantastic job presenting the good, the bad, and the ugly of Beethoven's life. He has some longer courses on Beethoven's work that I will definitely add to my list.
February 1, 2021
Except for his smug attitude and occasional hip comments, this was an excellent look into Ludwig's life. Understanding him was fascinating. I recommend this book (which is delivered like a series of lectures) to any music fan of Beethoven.
March 30, 2021
Equal to a college course, Robert Greenberg’s ten lectures provide enlightenment on the life of Ludwig van Beethoven. The authors expertise is balanced with humor.
As a musician and music teacher, I was enthralled in the deeper look at a favorite, yet misunderstood, great composer.
As a musician and music teacher, I was enthralled in the deeper look at a favorite, yet misunderstood, great composer.
March 16, 2022
Robert Greenberg does a masterful job of giving the reader a unique perspective into the mind of a musical genius. I have a better understanding of Beethoven's state of mind when he penned his various masterworks.
April 2, 2022
Deep insight behind the greatest musician of all time. Changed my experience in listening to his music from now onwards, so much of emotion and story behind his masterpieces. All in all a good narration of his biography
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February 2, 2025Would be great if…
The author and the narrator was not as judgmental and patronising as he is about this great musician and artist. I honestly could not get past the first chapter/lecture. What a let down. DNF for me.
The author and the narrator was not as judgmental and patronising as he is about this great musician and artist. I honestly could not get past the first chapter/lecture. What a let down. DNF for me.
February 28, 2021
Quick run through of Beethoven's life. Wasn't a bad story, but the narrator could be a little over the top sometimes.
May 25, 2021
So entertaining.
June 2, 2021
An interesting biography of Beethoven, presented as a series of lectures. It would have benefitted by incorporating musical excerpts, but the focus was more on the man then his music.
August 14, 2021
A quick but surprisingly complete biography of Beethoven. I had no idea he was such a sad and troubled person. Great narration.
August 22, 2021
Heard it on Audible. Dramatically read and very enjoyable.
November 14, 2021
This was an entertaining narrative, I did not realize there were so many primary sources available about Beethoven.
November 15, 2021
Another brilliant course from Robert Greenberg. I have learned so much from his teaching and highly recommend anything you can find. I love the wit and energy and articulate teaching of this man!
February 15, 2022
Not a humble man, our Beethoven. You gotta love his music, though.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews