What do you think?
Rate this book
Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven: to some, simply the greatest ever composer of Western classical music. Yet his life remains shrouded in myths, and the image persists of him as an eccentric genius shaking his fist at heaven.
Beethoven by Oxford professor Laura Tunbridge cuts through the noise in a refreshing way. Each chapter focuses on a period of his life, a piece of music and a revealing theme, from family to friends, from heroism to liberty. It's a winning combination of rich biographical detail, insight into the music and surprising new angles, all of which can transform how you listen to his works. We discover, for example, Beethoven's oddly modern talent for self-promotion, how he was influenced by factors from European wars to instrument building, and how he was heard by contemporaries.
This tour de force - published for the 250th anniversary of Beethoven's birth - provides a fresh overview and a wealth of material that has never been revealed to the wider public before. It's a compelling, human portrayal of Beethoven and a fascinating journey into one of the world's most amazing creative minds.
Beethoven by Oxford professor Laura Tunbridge cuts through the noise in a refreshing way. Each chapter focuses on a period of his life, a piece of music and a revealing theme, from family to friends, from heroism to liberty. It's a winning combination of rich biographical detail, insight into the music and surprising new angles, all of which can transform how you listen to his works. We discover, for example, Beethoven's oddly modern talent for self-promotion, how he was influenced by factors from European wars to instrument building, and how he was heard by contemporaries.
This tour de force - published for the 250th anniversary of Beethoven's birth - provides a fresh overview and a wealth of material that has never been revealed to the wider public before. It's a compelling, human portrayal of Beethoven and a fascinating journey into one of the world's most amazing creative minds.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published October 26, 2020
94 people are currently reading
692 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
Read
November 15, 2021I have once read a little biography of Beethoven, but more importantly I have visited his birth house museum meaning that a more profound understanding of Beethoven has seeped up through my shoes and socks into the very soles of my feet. In the end I had to get rid of those shoes and socks as they obliged me to walk in grossen Fugen, and I had to get up earlier and earlier each day to be able to reach my destinations on time. The feet still have the occasional symphonic impulse, but I can mostly cope with that.
Perhaps every age has its own Beethoven; or maybe the Beethoven it best deserves, and in line with that miserable thought, Laura Tunbridge's Beethoven is a networker, a homeworker, a business man as well as perhaps almost incidentally a composer. And perhaps most appropriately he is in poor health.
Tunbridge's book is not a biography but a set of essays each concentrating on a couple of pieces of his music and his life at the time of its performance or composition. A limited discussion of which I put in spoiler text in case you like to be surprised by the chapter headings in a non-fiction book.
The chapter titles are misleading and the prefix often grossly so. In some cases the subject of the chapter is actual the first performance of the piece, and in case you are frightened none of the chapters is a musical analysis. I can see that a book full of chapters about age old première performances would not look inviting to a general readership, but they were fascinating reading. I was very pleased with myself when I bought recordings on period instruments, but this book makes clear that period performance was something entirely different, and one gets the impression that you probably wouldn't much have liked to here one - except as pure spectacle. Concert halls were not heated, orchestras might be assembled from a mixture of professionals and amateurs who might not have rehearsed, or if they had then two rehearsals was the absolute maximum they might have managed. Musicians would hold back and not play sections that they felt were beyond their technical ability - which one can imagine was good on the one hand, but on the other the balance and power of the performance, I guess, may have changed considerably while they were playing. Concerts were long and a new piece might be played twice, the audience felt free to applaud between movements, and to demand that a movement be repeated as an encore mid-performance. At the same time the composer might intervene and demand that the musicians stop and start again if they felt they were not doing justice to the piece.
I liked that Tunbridge repeatedly pointed out how explanations of Beethoven's music tend to be biographical, the paradox about this is that detail about his private life let alone his inner life is debatable and up for grabs, one early biographer wrote details into Beethoven's conversation books posthumously to discredit anecdotes already in circulation about Beethoven, while the dating of the unsent letter to his "immortal beloved", found among his papers after his death is uncertain.
She is interesting about his wheeling and dealing with publisher and patrons, and on the changing technical capabilities of the instruments and performers around him. This is a book I can fairly warmly recommend to fans of Beethoven, non-fans I imagine won't be terribly interested, and my recommendation is fairly warm because I felt some chapters were more interesting than others.
Perhaps every age has its own Beethoven; or maybe the Beethoven it best deserves, and in line with that miserable thought, Laura Tunbridge's Beethoven is a networker, a homeworker, a business man as well as perhaps almost incidentally a composer. And perhaps most appropriately he is in poor health.
Tunbridge's book is not a biography but a set of essays each concentrating on a couple of pieces of his music and his life at the time of its performance or composition. A limited discussion of which I put in spoiler text in case you like to be surprised by the chapter headings in a non-fiction book.
The chapter titles are misleading and the prefix often grossly so. In some cases the subject of the chapter is actual the first performance of the piece, and in case you are frightened none of the chapters is a musical analysis. I can see that a book full of chapters about age old première performances would not look inviting to a general readership, but they were fascinating reading. I was very pleased with myself when I bought recordings on period instruments, but this book makes clear that period performance was something entirely different, and one gets the impression that you probably wouldn't much have liked to here one - except as pure spectacle. Concert halls were not heated, orchestras might be assembled from a mixture of professionals and amateurs who might not have rehearsed, or if they had then two rehearsals was the absolute maximum they might have managed. Musicians would hold back and not play sections that they felt were beyond their technical ability - which one can imagine was good on the one hand, but on the other the balance and power of the performance, I guess, may have changed considerably while they were playing. Concerts were long and a new piece might be played twice, the audience felt free to applaud between movements, and to demand that a movement be repeated as an encore mid-performance. At the same time the composer might intervene and demand that the musicians stop and start again if they felt they were not doing justice to the piece.
I liked that Tunbridge repeatedly pointed out how explanations of Beethoven's music tend to be biographical, the paradox about this is that detail about his private life let alone his inner life is debatable and up for grabs, one early biographer wrote details into Beethoven's conversation books posthumously to discredit anecdotes already in circulation about Beethoven, while the dating of the unsent letter to his "immortal beloved", found among his papers after his death is uncertain.
She is interesting about his wheeling and dealing with publisher and patrons, and on the changing technical capabilities of the instruments and performers around him. This is a book I can fairly warmly recommend to fans of Beethoven, non-fans I imagine won't be terribly interested, and my recommendation is fairly warm because I felt some chapters were more interesting than others.
January 6, 2024
ورژن بدتایم بیوگرافی اش رو گوش دادم.
چقدر جالب بود که یه سری سمفونی هاش رو با اثر از اتفاقات و اشخاص تاریخ نوشته.
و چقدر میخوره و منطقیه.
در کنار بررسی آثارش و اثرگذاریشون، یکمم راجع به خود زندگیش داشت.
چقدر جالب بود که یه سری سمفونی هاش رو با اثر از اتفاقات و اشخاص تاریخ نوشته.
و چقدر میخوره و منطقیه.
در کنار بررسی آثارش و اثرگذاریشون، یکمم راجع به خود زندگیش داشت.
April 27, 2023
Beethoven: A Life in Nine Pieces [2020] – ★★★★★
Through just nine musical pieces, Laura Tunbridge places Beethoven in one particular time and place in her well-researched book, presenting an intimate and detailed image of the great composer.
Did you know that one music piece (a Septet) that made Beethoven’s name in the nineteenth century is hardly ever played today, or that later pieces by Beethoven that are now known to everyone were considered in the composer’s time too complex and brazen to merit any attention? Beethoven’s elusive “Immortal Beloved” is still without identity, and his attempts at self-promotion were not always successful. Rather than Beethoven being an isolated genius making music masterpieces on his own, Laura Tunbridge talks in her book of Beethoven as a gifted person who was very much depended on others (such as on his friends and patrons), on the particular time, norms and politics, as well as on the musical tradition in which he lived. The author demonstrates how Vienna and Beethoven’s own personal life affected his music, and how changing perceptions, as well as tastes of nobility, ultimately shaped and dictated the man and his music that is now admired by millions.
I. Septet, op. 20 [1800]
Laura Tunbridge, Professor of Music, University of Oxford, begins her debut book with this piece by Beethoven, emphasising its popularity in the early nineteenth century Vienna, which had already become the musical centre of the world. Although the piece helped to make Beethoven’s name famous, it is now considered merely “a historical curiosity” and is hardly ever played [Tunbridge, 2020: 13]. In this chapter, the author also talks about the initial struggles of Beethoven in gaining success and recognition: “Musical genius was not enough…even Beethoven had to rely on connections to eventually gain the opportunity to present a concert” [Tunbridge, 2020: 27].
II. Violin Sonata no. 9 op. 47 [1803]
This chapter focuses on “the importance of Beethoven’s network of friends and patrons” in the composer’s attempts to establish a name for himself that can be compared to that of Mozart or Haydn.
III. Symphony no. 3 op. 55 [1804]
Vienna’s economic situation at that time and the war are “reflected” in this piece by Beethoven.
IV. Choral Fantasy op. 80 [1808]
The elusive, difficult nature of Beethoven’s music can be glimpsed in “Choral Fantasy”, which also showcases Beethoven’s superior improvisational abilities. His skill in that regard even surprised Mozart himself during their alleged (but not proven) single brief meeting in 1787 (for more information on this supposed meeting see my review of this book on Mozart).
V. An die Geliebte [1812]
Beethoven never married and speculations about his personal and romantic life were rife. “An die Geliebte”, based on poetry by Alois Jeitteles, represents Beethoven’s foray into writing music for songs and could be said to signal Beethoven’s own “romantic isolation”. The chapter also highlights extracts from some of his most “sentimental” letters.
VI. Fidelio op. 72 [1814]
The most interesting element of Beethoven: A Life in Nine Pieces is that it positions Beethoven at the very centre of one fluctuating music scene, demonstrating clearly how the strict social hierarchy, political climate, and people’s changing perceptions and norms affected the composer’s music. For example, during the time of Beethoven’s only opera “Fidelio”, “the serious, Germanic tradition of symphonies and chamber music” began to conflict with the increasingly popular “frivolous, tuneful operas of Italy” [Tunbridge, 2020: 160].
VII. Piano Sonata no. 29 op. 106 [1818]
Tunbridge explains how class, politics and the changing music culture all had influence on Beethoven and his music. Moreover, this chapter talks about the composer’s familial circumstances, and, in particular, highlights his battle over custody of his nephew Karl, whom Beethoven wanted to become a virtuoso pianist.
VIII. Missa Solemnis op. 123 [1823]
The book talks at length about the creative process behind some of Beethoven’s musical creations, and goes deeply into the stages of planning and executing the Missa Solemnis or Solemn Mass, which Beethoven composed from 1819 and 1823 and which first premiered in Russia in 1824. This section also talks of the composer’s increasing isolation and seclusion, which was exacerbated by his progressive hearing loss.
IX. String Quartet op. 130 [1826]
While talking about the final years of Beethoven, this chapter also discusses numerous attempts made “to preserve” the man for posterity while he was still alive.
🎼 Beethoven: A Life in Nine Pieces delves deep into Beethoven’s talent and music, discarding one stereotype that the man was an elusive and isolated genius who achieved his success overnight and demonstrating him as a person whose path to success was not always so smooth and who was inter-dependent on others, wanting to be recognised publicly and earn a living like everyone else. The book also places Beethoven in a strict social hierarchy, in times of changing norms and politics, while commenting on Beethoven’s romantic and familial aspirations, as well on how his ill-health and hearing loss also contributed to shaping his music later in life.
Through just nine musical pieces, Laura Tunbridge places Beethoven in one particular time and place in her well-researched book, presenting an intimate and detailed image of the great composer.
Did you know that one music piece (a Septet) that made Beethoven’s name in the nineteenth century is hardly ever played today, or that later pieces by Beethoven that are now known to everyone were considered in the composer’s time too complex and brazen to merit any attention? Beethoven’s elusive “Immortal Beloved” is still without identity, and his attempts at self-promotion were not always successful. Rather than Beethoven being an isolated genius making music masterpieces on his own, Laura Tunbridge talks in her book of Beethoven as a gifted person who was very much depended on others (such as on his friends and patrons), on the particular time, norms and politics, as well as on the musical tradition in which he lived. The author demonstrates how Vienna and Beethoven’s own personal life affected his music, and how changing perceptions, as well as tastes of nobility, ultimately shaped and dictated the man and his music that is now admired by millions.
I. Septet, op. 20 [1800]
Laura Tunbridge, Professor of Music, University of Oxford, begins her debut book with this piece by Beethoven, emphasising its popularity in the early nineteenth century Vienna, which had already become the musical centre of the world. Although the piece helped to make Beethoven’s name famous, it is now considered merely “a historical curiosity” and is hardly ever played [Tunbridge, 2020: 13]. In this chapter, the author also talks about the initial struggles of Beethoven in gaining success and recognition: “Musical genius was not enough…even Beethoven had to rely on connections to eventually gain the opportunity to present a concert” [Tunbridge, 2020: 27].
II. Violin Sonata no. 9 op. 47 [1803]
This chapter focuses on “the importance of Beethoven’s network of friends and patrons” in the composer’s attempts to establish a name for himself that can be compared to that of Mozart or Haydn.
III. Symphony no. 3 op. 55 [1804]
Vienna’s economic situation at that time and the war are “reflected” in this piece by Beethoven.
IV. Choral Fantasy op. 80 [1808]
The elusive, difficult nature of Beethoven’s music can be glimpsed in “Choral Fantasy”, which also showcases Beethoven’s superior improvisational abilities. His skill in that regard even surprised Mozart himself during their alleged (but not proven) single brief meeting in 1787 (for more information on this supposed meeting see my review of this book on Mozart).
V. An die Geliebte [1812]
Beethoven never married and speculations about his personal and romantic life were rife. “An die Geliebte”, based on poetry by Alois Jeitteles, represents Beethoven’s foray into writing music for songs and could be said to signal Beethoven’s own “romantic isolation”. The chapter also highlights extracts from some of his most “sentimental” letters.
VI. Fidelio op. 72 [1814]
The most interesting element of Beethoven: A Life in Nine Pieces is that it positions Beethoven at the very centre of one fluctuating music scene, demonstrating clearly how the strict social hierarchy, political climate, and people’s changing perceptions and norms affected the composer’s music. For example, during the time of Beethoven’s only opera “Fidelio”, “the serious, Germanic tradition of symphonies and chamber music” began to conflict with the increasingly popular “frivolous, tuneful operas of Italy” [Tunbridge, 2020: 160].
VII. Piano Sonata no. 29 op. 106 [1818]
Tunbridge explains how class, politics and the changing music culture all had influence on Beethoven and his music. Moreover, this chapter talks about the composer’s familial circumstances, and, in particular, highlights his battle over custody of his nephew Karl, whom Beethoven wanted to become a virtuoso pianist.
VIII. Missa Solemnis op. 123 [1823]
The book talks at length about the creative process behind some of Beethoven’s musical creations, and goes deeply into the stages of planning and executing the Missa Solemnis or Solemn Mass, which Beethoven composed from 1819 and 1823 and which first premiered in Russia in 1824. This section also talks of the composer’s increasing isolation and seclusion, which was exacerbated by his progressive hearing loss.
IX. String Quartet op. 130 [1826]
While talking about the final years of Beethoven, this chapter also discusses numerous attempts made “to preserve” the man for posterity while he was still alive.
🎼 Beethoven: A Life in Nine Pieces delves deep into Beethoven’s talent and music, discarding one stereotype that the man was an elusive and isolated genius who achieved his success overnight and demonstrating him as a person whose path to success was not always so smooth and who was inter-dependent on others, wanting to be recognised publicly and earn a living like everyone else. The book also places Beethoven in a strict social hierarchy, in times of changing norms and politics, while commenting on Beethoven’s romantic and familial aspirations, as well on how his ill-health and hearing loss also contributed to shaping his music later in life.
November 19, 2020
This book did much to reverse the aversion created by a sadistic Scottish music teacher with a penchant for Beethoven. I found it totally uplifting. The biography has pieces of music as chapter titles, so it was so easy to find each piece on Youtube, listen it a few times, and then read the chapter. To be honest, however, it soon dawned on me that just working through the music and reading an accompanying wiki gave almost just as much with the biography adding little to that. By the way, I am the only one who almost starts to believe in transcendence again when I inexplicably burst into tears in the middle of a piece of music played by a large orchestra.
November 20, 2020
I grew up in a musical family, but I haven't read many biographies of composers. This was quite interesting and often engaging, and is told in an artful way. Nicely researched, too. Recommended for biography fans, and obviously, musicians that want another perspective on him.
Thanks very much for the review copy!!
Thanks very much for the review copy!!
February 14, 2022
I was not the intended audience for this. I never studied music and really to enjoy Tunbridge’s analysis I think you must be better prepared than I. However, I recently read Ruth Padel’s wonderful _Beethoven Variations: Poems on a Life_ and got interested in his biography. There is some in this book and it’s interesting to read. However, the discussions of his music took me to YouTube and Spotify to listen. A great outcome for me.
Next is _Mr. Beethoven_. A entirely fictional account of Beethoven visiting Boston. I hope it’s fun.
Next is _Mr. Beethoven_. A entirely fictional account of Beethoven visiting Boston. I hope it’s fun.
March 10, 2021
"History is selective, and we carve out an image of the composer for our times."
Laura Tunbridge certainly carved out a vivid and somehow new image of the great composer, 250 years after his birth. It's clear the Beethoven was a feisty artist who trail-blazed through the classical musical period and set new standards for music, many of which are yet to be surpassed. As one (if not THE) most famous composers, there has already been so much written about him, yet Tunbridge is able to examine his life and maybe more obscure works, in a fascinating light. I created a Spotify playlist of the nine pieces that make up the novel in order to listen while reading, as the text is both musical interpretation and linked biography. I'll finish this review with one of my favourite Beethoven quotes.
"He wrote: ' Prince, what are you, you are by circumstance and birth, what I am, I am through myself; there are, and there always will be, thousands of princes; but there is only one Beethoven.'"
Laura Tunbridge certainly carved out a vivid and somehow new image of the great composer, 250 years after his birth. It's clear the Beethoven was a feisty artist who trail-blazed through the classical musical period and set new standards for music, many of which are yet to be surpassed. As one (if not THE) most famous composers, there has already been so much written about him, yet Tunbridge is able to examine his life and maybe more obscure works, in a fascinating light. I created a Spotify playlist of the nine pieces that make up the novel in order to listen while reading, as the text is both musical interpretation and linked biography. I'll finish this review with one of my favourite Beethoven quotes.
"He wrote: ' Prince, what are you, you are by circumstance and birth, what I am, I am through myself; there are, and there always will be, thousands of princes; but there is only one Beethoven.'"
May 5, 2025
A brisk (less than 300 pages), breezy and clear description of the life of Beethoven with chapters arranged around the main compositions he produced during each period of his life. The audiobook version plays pieces of the composition within the narration so you don’t need to (though it is still worth doing).
One revelation is that some of the compositions that act as headlines for chapters are rarely if ever played these days, while those that are played most today were of little interest at the time. We get the impression that Beethoven would have been pleasantly surprised to know this was going to happen as sometimes it was the pieces he rated most highly that got the least traction at the time.
Other interesting revelations include the role of instrument design, and the role of a small group of dedicated musicians in his work. Patronage of course was a big factor and Beethoven was generally lucky in this regard. Fashion was another factor, and unfortunately the music critics of the day were wedded to it while Beethoven very definitely was not.
I enjoyed this book very much. So much so that I wonder whether I might tackle one of the even higher rated but much longer (close to 2,000 pages) biographies, or leave at this one.
One revelation is that some of the compositions that act as headlines for chapters are rarely if ever played these days, while those that are played most today were of little interest at the time. We get the impression that Beethoven would have been pleasantly surprised to know this was going to happen as sometimes it was the pieces he rated most highly that got the least traction at the time.
Other interesting revelations include the role of instrument design, and the role of a small group of dedicated musicians in his work. Patronage of course was a big factor and Beethoven was generally lucky in this regard. Fashion was another factor, and unfortunately the music critics of the day were wedded to it while Beethoven very definitely was not.
I enjoyed this book very much. So much so that I wonder whether I might tackle one of the even higher rated but much longer (close to 2,000 pages) biographies, or leave at this one.
February 4, 2021
A wonderful biography of Beethoven centered around some of his major works.
By delving deeply into these compositions, their successive versions and their reception, you get a good insight of Beethoven in his time.
Vivid descriptions of the turbulent political situation in Vienna, the Napoleontic wars and their aftermath, and the successive era censorship and oppression, bring the era of Beethoven to life. It makes you imagine what disturbing time it must have been to live in.
The book concludes with a great chapter with recommendations what to read next and an extensive bibliography.
By delving deeply into these compositions, their successive versions and their reception, you get a good insight of Beethoven in his time.
Vivid descriptions of the turbulent political situation in Vienna, the Napoleontic wars and their aftermath, and the successive era censorship and oppression, bring the era of Beethoven to life. It makes you imagine what disturbing time it must have been to live in.
The book concludes with a great chapter with recommendations what to read next and an extensive bibliography.
January 9, 2023
A very well written book, with a good balance between biographical information and technical musical analysis. It's fun to read and what I find especially impressive is that the author somehow managed to make me keep track of all the names of Beethoven's contemporaries that are mentioned. A well deserved five stars.
January 9, 2022
Brief and enjoyable biography of Beethoven that attempts to de-mystify him and ground him as a living, breathing human being rather than a God. In the last year I have suddenly evolved from being someone who listened to Beethoven occasionally to being someone who listens to him obsessively almost daily. I put on the 9th Symphony one night when I went to bed, and rather than just half paying attention to it in the background I felt like I really heard it for the first time, and I suddenly understood why many people consider it to be the greatest piece of music ever made. This is why I was compelled to read a biography of him, and this one is recent and short.
Tunbridge breaks the book down into nine chapters, each of which covers a period of Beethoven's life whilst discussing the composition, performance and reception of each piece. I listened to each piece as I read the chapter, and it got me listening to music I had never heard before, including lesser known works. It was interesting to read about the practical details of his life as a working musician, including his relationships with his patrons, the publishing deals he cut and the details of his performances and premiers. It was also interesting to see it all against the historical background of what was taking place in Vienna and across Europe as it was rocked by the Napoleonic Wars. Learning about how his music responded to developments in musical technology was also fascinating, as Tunbridge explains how the invention of a new bow changed the sound and style of violin performances, or how Beethoven responded to the development of new piano styles.
An excellent, engaging and readable biography. I will probably read something longer and more in depth later.
Tunbridge breaks the book down into nine chapters, each of which covers a period of Beethoven's life whilst discussing the composition, performance and reception of each piece. I listened to each piece as I read the chapter, and it got me listening to music I had never heard before, including lesser known works. It was interesting to read about the practical details of his life as a working musician, including his relationships with his patrons, the publishing deals he cut and the details of his performances and premiers. It was also interesting to see it all against the historical background of what was taking place in Vienna and across Europe as it was rocked by the Napoleonic Wars. Learning about how his music responded to developments in musical technology was also fascinating, as Tunbridge explains how the invention of a new bow changed the sound and style of violin performances, or how Beethoven responded to the development of new piano styles.
An excellent, engaging and readable biography. I will probably read something longer and more in depth later.
June 3, 2025
This isn’t the book for newcomers—or seasoned Beethoven fans.
It swings unpredictably between overly technical critiques and vague historical snapshots, never quite settling into a clear rhythm or purpose. At times, it assumes the reader is a trained music critic; at others, it glosses over important context with broad, unfocused imagery. Most disappointing is how little of Beethoven’s personality comes through. There’s no fresh perspective, no new emotional insight—just a series of disconnected observations.
I finished the book feeling exactly as I had when I started: unmoved and no closer to understanding the man behind the music.
It swings unpredictably between overly technical critiques and vague historical snapshots, never quite settling into a clear rhythm or purpose. At times, it assumes the reader is a trained music critic; at others, it glosses over important context with broad, unfocused imagery. Most disappointing is how little of Beethoven’s personality comes through. There’s no fresh perspective, no new emotional insight—just a series of disconnected observations.
I finished the book feeling exactly as I had when I started: unmoved and no closer to understanding the man behind the music.
abandoned
December 23, 2021originally recommended by MR, i was sold by its audible description.
promises made. promises broken.
it's an audiobook. where's the music?
ofc it was recommended as a biography, and a history of the arts at the time. as the name suggests, the book is arranged by the musical pieces. that could have made the base of the audibook, with the former acting as the annotation, or at least that was my expectation going in. ah well.
could i have listened to the pieces once i had listened to the corresponding chapter? absolutely.
but i am a neophyte when it comes to even listening to music. and more importantly, lazy. without the promised curation, i just didn't bother )
promises made. promises broken.
it's an audiobook. where's the music?
ofc it was recommended as a biography, and a history of the arts at the time. as the name suggests, the book is arranged by the musical pieces. that could have made the base of the audibook, with the former acting as the annotation, or at least that was my expectation going in. ah well.
could i have listened to the pieces once i had listened to the corresponding chapter? absolutely.
but i am a neophyte when it comes to even listening to music. and more importantly, lazy. without the promised curation, i just didn't bother )
January 26, 2022
I greatly appreciated the organization of this book. I like that it wasn’t excessively long. I love that that the author took the time to explain musical composition in layman’s terms, e.g., difference between a concerto and a sonata. And the political environment in Vienna - just enough context was added. Like other reviewers, I couldn’t help tracking down and listening to the pieces highlighted. I came away with a greater appreciation of the composer’s skill - both as a revolutionary musician and as a businessman looking to profit from his artistry.
December 30, 2023
I've never read a full Beethoven biography and I know an artist can't be understood without awareness of the historical and cultural context in which they lived and worked. This was just 230 pages (before back-matter) but the structure - a "biography in nine pieces" - was much more than a broad overview. Much of the musical theory was beyond me, but it helped to listen to some of these pieces while reading.
January 14, 2021
This was an excellent and accessible biography. Tunbridge did a great job of telling Beethoven’s life story through some of his greatest compositions. A nice way to celebrate the 250th birth year of the worlds greatest composer.
Read
July 2, 2021DNF at 56%
I wanted to know about the composer so thought this would inform me about his life. Since it is based on 9 pieces he wrote and his life it's fun to listen to the piece before reading the chapter. However, the author tends to have a habit of describing the music for pages on end which just makes it redundant since I can just listen to them. I wanted to know about his life, which I did get, but it was only in fragments.
I wanted to know about the composer so thought this would inform me about his life. Since it is based on 9 pieces he wrote and his life it's fun to listen to the piece before reading the chapter. However, the author tends to have a habit of describing the music for pages on end which just makes it redundant since I can just listen to them. I wanted to know about his life, which I did get, but it was only in fragments.
July 23, 2020
This is an excellently researched and thoroughly accessible exploration of Beethoven's life and influence through the conceit of using nine pieces that the author considers to have been central to his development as a composer. The musical references are clearly explained for readers / listeners unfamiliar with musical terminology.
November 12, 2023
A well researched biography, but it lacks a clear focus and thus fails to be engaging.
October 30, 2020
This is a great introduction into the life and work of Beethoven, beautifully organized in order to nurture more than anything the reader's relationship with the composer's pieces.
Emphasizing nine compositions, this books tells the story of Beethoven's life, his connections, his relationships, his political views, his sensibilities coming back over and over to the pieces he envisioned, how they took form, how they were received and how they were played. Doing this it offers the reader the chance to connect with each piece in order to understand better. It's great to listen to each composition before or after reading its dedicated chapter.
This is a great book for anyone who wants to learn more about the artist but also for musical professionals as there is an abundance of musical terms and analysis, details about Beethoven's innovations and about the way instruments and orchestras were shaped in his time.
The greatest achievement of this book lies in the deconstruction of Beethoven's image, beyond the cult of his personality and of his work, putting all his story into its historical and political context. Always trying to appeal to a modern reader while recognizing Beethoven's great art and impact on the musical history.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Emphasizing nine compositions, this books tells the story of Beethoven's life, his connections, his relationships, his political views, his sensibilities coming back over and over to the pieces he envisioned, how they took form, how they were received and how they were played. Doing this it offers the reader the chance to connect with each piece in order to understand better. It's great to listen to each composition before or after reading its dedicated chapter.
This is a great book for anyone who wants to learn more about the artist but also for musical professionals as there is an abundance of musical terms and analysis, details about Beethoven's innovations and about the way instruments and orchestras were shaped in his time.
The greatest achievement of this book lies in the deconstruction of Beethoven's image, beyond the cult of his personality and of his work, putting all his story into its historical and political context. Always trying to appeal to a modern reader while recognizing Beethoven's great art and impact on the musical history.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
December 30, 2020
Excellent, well written, brief introduction to Beethoven’s life and music. The author uses nine of Beethoven’s works as a basis to write nine chapters on Beethoven the man, his compositions, his approach to marketing his music and his relationships with friends, supporters and family. The music analysis is at a level any listener of classical music can follow. Being able to read music is unnecessary. Although I have listened to classical music all my life, I “discovered” several pieces that I knew about, but had never taken the time to thoroughly explore.
May 2, 2021
It was interesting to read about marketing, societal, and marketing circus one had to go through in Beethoven's time. This book won't give you many information about Beethoven's life, but will about his music. I am newly interested in some of Beethoven works I previously shied away. I listened to the audiobook and I have to admit, pronunciation was a bit much at times (if I didn't know about the prelude, I would never have guessed she said the word!), and there is a huge missed opportunity: very little, almost nothing, music is added in, even when the melodies are described.
August 30, 2020
This book is obviously the result of a great deal of research and an in depth knowledge of her subject. However, I think you need to be far more knowledgeable about music than I am to really appreciate this book. Listening to the pieces whilst reading the relevant chapter did help, but overall I didn't find this very readable.
August 26, 2020
An incredible book that has transformed my understanding of Beethoven.
November 5, 2020
I listened to the 'Hammerklavier' on YouTube with the music appearing in the visual. "Beethoven's impossible piece" was dedicated to his student Prince Rudolf whose health precluded him from actually playing it. In the year of its composition, Beethoven said that he had not known how to compose, but he knew now.
I was stunned by the music. I studied piano as a girl and have enjoyed playing (badly) for my own enjoyment. I had some idea of what was required to perform it. Few could actually conquer it, Laura Tunbridge writes in her new biography, Beethoven.
I have heard Beethoven in concert many times. I had never heard this piece before and would have remained ignorant if not for Tunbridge including it in her book. It is one of the nine pivotal compositions she uses to tell the story of Beethoven's life.
The composer lived through turbulent times and decades of war.
The age of reason morphed into the romantic era. Beethoven took music into the sublime and beyond, shocking people with its dissonance and loudness. Some complained that the music was too cerebral, 'elaborate musical puzzles.'
Through Beethoven's music, Tunbridge presents a complete biography. The familiar questions of the identity of 'The Immortal Beloved' and the changing dedication of the 'Eroica' are discussed, but also the development of the piano and the role of the conductor in his time, self-marketing and sheet music, Beethoven's religious life, and the long custody battle over his nephew. I found it all fascinating, and I felt I had a better grasp of this iconic composer.
I listened to the music as Tunbridge discussed the piece, added so much to my appreciation, doubling my enjoyment of this biography.
I received a free egalley from the publisher through NetGalley. My review is fair and unbiased.
I was stunned by the music. I studied piano as a girl and have enjoyed playing (badly) for my own enjoyment. I had some idea of what was required to perform it. Few could actually conquer it, Laura Tunbridge writes in her new biography, Beethoven.
I have heard Beethoven in concert many times. I had never heard this piece before and would have remained ignorant if not for Tunbridge including it in her book. It is one of the nine pivotal compositions she uses to tell the story of Beethoven's life.
The composer lived through turbulent times and decades of war.
The age of reason morphed into the romantic era. Beethoven took music into the sublime and beyond, shocking people with its dissonance and loudness. Some complained that the music was too cerebral, 'elaborate musical puzzles.'
Through Beethoven's music, Tunbridge presents a complete biography. The familiar questions of the identity of 'The Immortal Beloved' and the changing dedication of the 'Eroica' are discussed, but also the development of the piano and the role of the conductor in his time, self-marketing and sheet music, Beethoven's religious life, and the long custody battle over his nephew. I found it all fascinating, and I felt I had a better grasp of this iconic composer.
I listened to the music as Tunbridge discussed the piece, added so much to my appreciation, doubling my enjoyment of this biography.
I received a free egalley from the publisher through NetGalley. My review is fair and unbiased.
July 25, 2022
I listened to the 'Hammerklavier' on YouTube with the music appearing in the visual. "Beethoven's impossible piece" was dedicated to his student Prince Rudolf whose health precluded him from actually playing it. In the year of its composition, Beethoven said that he had not known how to compose, but he knew now.
I was stunned by the music. I studied piano as a girl and have enjoyed playing (badly) for my own enjoyment. I had some idea of what was required to perform it. Few could actually conquer it, Laura Tunbridge writes in her new biography, Beethoven.
I have heard Beethoven in concert many times. I had never heard this piece before and would have remained ignorant if not for Tunbridge including it in her book. It is one of the nine pivotal compositions she uses to tell the story of Beethoven's life.
The composer lived through turbulent times and decades of war. The age of reason morphed into the romantic era. Beethoven took music into the sublime and beyond, shocking people with its dissonance and loudness. Some complained that the music was too cerebral, 'elaborate musical puzzles.'
Through Beethoven's music, Tunbridge presents a complete biography. The familiar questions of the identity of 'The Immortal Beloved' and the changing dedication of the 'Eroica' are discussed, but also the development of the piano and the role of the conductor in his time, self-marketing and sheet music, Beethoven's religious life, and the long custody battle over his nephew. I found it all fascinating, and I felt I had a better grasp of this iconic composer.
I listened to the music as Tunbridge discussed the piece, added so much to my appreciation, doubling my enjoyment of this biography.
I was stunned by the music. I studied piano as a girl and have enjoyed playing (badly) for my own enjoyment. I had some idea of what was required to perform it. Few could actually conquer it, Laura Tunbridge writes in her new biography, Beethoven.
I have heard Beethoven in concert many times. I had never heard this piece before and would have remained ignorant if not for Tunbridge including it in her book. It is one of the nine pivotal compositions she uses to tell the story of Beethoven's life.
The composer lived through turbulent times and decades of war. The age of reason morphed into the romantic era. Beethoven took music into the sublime and beyond, shocking people with its dissonance and loudness. Some complained that the music was too cerebral, 'elaborate musical puzzles.'
Through Beethoven's music, Tunbridge presents a complete biography. The familiar questions of the identity of 'The Immortal Beloved' and the changing dedication of the 'Eroica' are discussed, but also the development of the piano and the role of the conductor in his time, self-marketing and sheet music, Beethoven's religious life, and the long custody battle over his nephew. I found it all fascinating, and I felt I had a better grasp of this iconic composer.
I listened to the music as Tunbridge discussed the piece, added so much to my appreciation, doubling my enjoyment of this biography.
February 2, 2024
I have been listening to classical music of many kinds (operas and sung words are not my cup of tea here) for about 40 years now and accumulated about 500 CDs and read many of the program notes that informed me about many composers and their works. So, this book is about like extended program notes on Ludwig van Beethoven's life and some key works of his.
Basically, this is a very informative book for those who just start their foray into classical music world and LvB's works in particular, and those who never read any program notes that come with the CDs. There are mixture of narratives about how each work is like, how European musical environment was like, some focuses on LvB's personal aspects, and cultural tidbits about music appreciation of his time.
One very familiar lesson about our human nature from this book is that so many "famous" artistic works that are so widely admired now today had a start with bad reputation at worst or indifference at best from critics of the time. Culture is subjected to evolution at large and true works of art really stand the test of time. (Distance proves worthy horses. Time proves worthy persons.)
In summary, this book is for those who want to explore some key works of LvB to see if they would develop further taste for more of his or others' such works.
And if you wonder which of his work is the most romantically sweet one, I ask you to listen to his Romance No.2 in F for Violin and Orchestra op.50. Go for a record from EMI by Ulf Hoelscher with Gewandhaus Leipzig Orchestra under Kurt Masur or Arthur Grumiaux with Philharmonia Orchestra under Edo de Waart from Philip. I would be much happy if this work enriches your mind.
Basically, this is a very informative book for those who just start their foray into classical music world and LvB's works in particular, and those who never read any program notes that come with the CDs. There are mixture of narratives about how each work is like, how European musical environment was like, some focuses on LvB's personal aspects, and cultural tidbits about music appreciation of his time.
One very familiar lesson about our human nature from this book is that so many "famous" artistic works that are so widely admired now today had a start with bad reputation at worst or indifference at best from critics of the time. Culture is subjected to evolution at large and true works of art really stand the test of time. (Distance proves worthy horses. Time proves worthy persons.)
In summary, this book is for those who want to explore some key works of LvB to see if they would develop further taste for more of his or others' such works.
And if you wonder which of his work is the most romantically sweet one, I ask you to listen to his Romance No.2 in F for Violin and Orchestra op.50. Go for a record from EMI by Ulf Hoelscher with Gewandhaus Leipzig Orchestra under Kurt Masur or Arthur Grumiaux with Philharmonia Orchestra under Edo de Waart from Philip. I would be much happy if this work enriches your mind.
February 28, 2022
Tunbridge clearly did research in pulling together this book. There were aspects of Beethoven's life and works that I did not know before, and so appreciate the new insights into one of the greatest composers ever. I enjoyed gaining insight into the debate about The Immortal Beloved, as well as influences of his time politically and culturally which may have shaped his music. At times, however, it is clear that this work was intended for those with a substantial musical training and not just your average listener to Beethoven. Lots of musical jargon and assumptions about musical terms the author assumed readers would already know. While I could follow along, I realized that many more people with a more casual acquaintance with music would find the book off-putting and hard to read and follow. Of course, this is a constant challenge of authors from the academy trying to right for non-academy readers.
Still, I enjoyed the journey through Beethoven's life and the 9 pieces which Tunbridge lifted up as symbolic of Beethoven's musical development.
Still, I enjoyed the journey through Beethoven's life and the 9 pieces which Tunbridge lifted up as symbolic of Beethoven's musical development.
Want to read
July 1, 2024pre read:
damn malaysia i got the ugly cover the fragmented beethoven is way nicer. mine's just his name in cursive :/ this book's been on the shelf for a month now and i've just been pushing it back cause eh.. then lo and behold, during my ten thousandth listen of the 3rd movement of moonlight sonata i felt like i experienced an awakening between the diminuendo and crescendo at bars 52 to 62.. i think, somewhere there. there were these mutes and as i was curling my hair i was like oh my god what a GENIUS he is a GENIUS he is BRILLIANT MAGNIFICENT like i've aaaaaaaalways liked that part but something hit me tonight like those mutes are doing something unholy to me im not even gonna detail anything further. they really made me feel like, 'okay i gotta get to know this man for real... SMASH!' so here i am pouring my heart out before even reading the book. i am currently reading butter by asako yuzuki, once i'm done i'm travelling to germany.
damn malaysia i got the ugly cover the fragmented beethoven is way nicer. mine's just his name in cursive :/ this book's been on the shelf for a month now and i've just been pushing it back cause eh.. then lo and behold, during my ten thousandth listen of the 3rd movement of moonlight sonata i felt like i experienced an awakening between the diminuendo and crescendo at bars 52 to 62.. i think, somewhere there. there were these mutes and as i was curling my hair i was like oh my god what a GENIUS he is a GENIUS he is BRILLIANT MAGNIFICENT like i've aaaaaaaalways liked that part but something hit me tonight like those mutes are doing something unholy to me im not even gonna detail anything further. they really made me feel like, 'okay i gotta get to know this man for real... SMASH!' so here i am pouring my heart out before even reading the book. i am currently reading butter by asako yuzuki, once i'm done i'm travelling to germany.
February 7, 2025
Such a fresh, intelligent way of approaching a subject about whom so much has already been written. Professor Tunbridge uses nine works by Beethoven, roughly chronological in order, as a framework to illustrate the composer's biography and a series of themes - ambition, family, friendship and so forth - that were important aspects of his complex personality.
With my record collection supplemented by the wonders of YouTube, it's possible to hear each work in turn and gain a deeper appreciation of how the work developed - from the septet, which was ambitious for the time but falls tunefully on the ear, through to the last, late quartets which even today are demanding for both the listener and the performer; properly deep. The best discovery of all for me was the Choral Fantasy, which combines virtuoso piano with full orchestra, vocal soloists and a full choir.
Excellent stuff.
With my record collection supplemented by the wonders of YouTube, it's possible to hear each work in turn and gain a deeper appreciation of how the work developed - from the septet, which was ambitious for the time but falls tunefully on the ear, through to the last, late quartets which even today are demanding for both the listener and the performer; properly deep. The best discovery of all for me was the Choral Fantasy, which combines virtuoso piano with full orchestra, vocal soloists and a full choir.
Excellent stuff.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews