Immortal

by Jessica Duchen

Who was Beethoven's 'Immortal Beloved'?
After Ludwig van Beethoven’s death, a love letter in his writing was discovered, addressed only to his ‘Immortal Beloved’. Decades later, Countess Therese Brunsvik claims to have been the composer’s lost love. Yet is she concealing a tragic secret? Who is the one person who deserves to know the truth?

Becoming Beethoven’s pupils in 1799, Therese and her sister Josephine followed his struggles against the onset of deafness, Viennese society’s flamboyance, privilege and hypocrisy and the upheavals of the Napoleonic wars. While Therese sought liberation, Josephine found the odds stacked against even the most unquenchable of passions...

Genres: Music, Historical Fiction, Fiction

453 pages, Paperback

First published October 29, 2020

About the author

Jessica is a music journalist, author and librettist. She contributes to the Sunday Times, the I News and BBC Music Magazine, among others, and was formerly with the Independent for 12 years.

Her latest novel 'Immortal' tells the (probably) true story behind Beethoven's famous 'Immortal Beloved' letter, exploring a tragic secret that was long concealed. "A revelation" (Daniel Hope, president of the Beethoven-Haus, Bonn).

'Ghost Variations' is based on the bizarre discovery of the suppressed Schumann Violin Concerto in the 1930s, with the great violinist Jelly d'Arányi as its heroine. "A thrilling read" (John Suchet, The Daily Mail).

Earlier novels focus on tensions between family generations, including the story of a child prodigy pianist ('Alicia's Gift') and the long-term effects of displacement and cultural clashes ('Hungarian Dances').

Jessica's librettos for composer Roxanna Panufnik include two operas commissioned by Garsington: 'Silver Birch', which was shortlisted for an International Opera Award in 2018, and 'Dalia', which won an Excellence in Music Theatre Education award in 2023. Among other pieces are 'Across the Line of Dreams' for the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and Chorus with conductors Marin Alsop and Valentina Peleggi, and a new song cycle, 'Gallery of Memories', which was premiered in Presteigne and Oxford festivals in 2023. More librettos include two youth operas based on Oscar Wilde stories: 'The Happy Princess' with composer Paul Fincham and 'The Selfish Giant' with John Barber.

Jessica creates and presents concert dramas and narrated concerts, with numerous appearances at festivals around the UK, France and Australia. Her non-fiction books include biographies of the composers Gabriel Fauré and Erich Wolfgang Korngold, and a centenary celebration of the London Chamber Orchestra.

She lives in London with her violinist husband and cat.

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/jessicawords...

Reviews

[Elentarri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4.5 stars

Immortal by Jessica Duchen is an examination of one of the many hypotheses regarding Beethoven's "Immortal Beloved".  The book is mostly historically accurate with a bit of artistic license to fill in the gaps.  Inspired by real events, the novel is narrated in the style of a collection of letters sent from Countess Therese Brunsvik von Korompa to her niece - so that at least one person knows the truth.  The letters describe Therese's childhood, her immediate family, her cousin Countess Vanity (Giulietta Guicciardi), their their relationship with Ludwig van Beethoven (whose music they all adored), not to mention the turbulent change in Viennese society from a cosmopolitan city of parties to a war torn city under occupation by Napoleon's forces, facing poverty and bankruptcy.  A large portion of the letters describes the turbulent and restrictive lives of Therese and her sisters - with Beethoven winding like a ribbon throughout the narrative.  I loved how Duchen wove descriptions of Beethoven's music throughout the narrative.  Compelling, well researched and beautifully written, with tense and heartbreaking moments.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Immortal is described by the author as “a novel inspired by real events”. Woven into the story is Jessica Duchen’s favoured theory (supported by many other scholars) as to the identity of the woman addressed as ‘Immortal Beloved’ in Beethoven’s letter. In fact, it becomes clear pretty quickly who that woman is and, later, why her identity might need to be protected.

The book is narrated by Countess Therese Brunsvik (known as ‘Tesi’ to her family) in a series of letters to an unidentified niece. I have to say I’m not really a fan of this narrative device. Even taking into account that people of the time in which the novel is set were more prolific and dedicated correspondents, I find it unrealistic that events and conversations can be recalled in such detail.

Given the size of Therese’s extended family – thanks to her sisters’ large number of offspring –  there are a range of possible candidates for the ‘My dear niece’ to whom her letters are addressed.   The niece’s identity is not confirmed until the end of the book, although readers may have their own suspicions earlier than that.

Leaving my earlier reservation aside, Therese’s account provides a detailed, often lively, insight into the lives of a certain section of Hungarian society at the beginning of the 19th century, a period which takes in the Napoleonic Wars and significant geopolitical changes to the countries of Europe.  In particular, the book charts the transformation of Vienna from a place of parties, palaces and musical soirees to a city under occupation in a nation bankrupted by war.

The children of the Brunsvik family are blessed with linguistic and musical ability. Therese and her sisters are talented pianists with remarkable sight-reading ability and their brother, Franz, plays the cello. The family are fluent in French and German; like other members of the aristocracy they eschew the native tongue, Hungarian, which is spoken only by their servants.

However, with the privileges of nobility come constraints, especially for the women of the family. As Therese’s mother explains, “A woman’s status, as you know, is determined by that of her husband”. Hence the unedifying spectacle of Therese’s beautiful sister Josephine (known as ‘Pepi’ within the family) being, in Therese’s words, marketed “to the first be-titled bidder”, with the unhappy consequences that follow.  And, as it turns out, an aristocratic title does not necessarily ensure financial stability or moral probity.

One of the key strengths of Immortal is the fascinating insight it gives into the character of Beethoven. This description of his appearance brings to life the figure depicted on the cover of the book:

“…dark as a Spaniard…not tall, but broad, imposing, confident, hair swept back above his collar. His eyes were eager and curious, under low-set brows that threatened to meet in the middle. His neck was wide and short, his jawline squared, with a cleft chin that made him more determined in aspect; high cheekbones brought refinement to this unusual visage.”

The book vividly conveys Beethoven’s musical prowess and amazing ability to improvise – “I find it within myself, and it must out”. The author calls upon her own musical knowledge to comment in scholarly fashion on the structure of and themes behind some of Beethoven’s compositions, such as the piano sonatas which the two Brunsvik sisters learn to play under his tuition.

Described by Therese at one point as a ‘walking firework’, it is sad to see the first signs of Beethoven’s deafness and the impact it has on him. As Therese laments, “He, a sociable and generous soul, now preferred to avoid company rather than allow his disability to be seen”. The ups and downs of his musical career don’t help. Forced to rely on financial support from patrons, Beethoven’s ground-breaking compositions are not met with universal acclaim.

For me the pace of the book was more andante than vivace.  However, the Coda revealed an unexpected new angle and the historical notes provided a fascinating insight into the afterlives of many of the characters featured in the book.  This includes Therese herself whose interest in and championing of progressive education, especially for girls, was her lasting legacy.

Less a mystery than a painstaking historical biography, Immortal will appeal to lovers of Beethoven’s works who wish to find out more about the man behind the music and to those with an interest in the social history of Europe during a period of upheaval.

[Juliet Bookliterati · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I love most about historical fiction is learning something new, and Jessica Duchen’s new book Immortal gave me a fascinating insight into the world of Beethoven. This is a work of fiction, based on a letter found in a hidden draw of Beethoven’s apartment after his death, dedicated to ‘my Immortal Beloved’. But who was his Immortal Beloved, over the years many there have been different theories, and Jessica Duchen opens her book with Countess Terese Brunsvik telling a student that it was her Beethoven was writting about, but was she covering up for someone else? Covering Beethoven’s rise to fame, his inceasing problems with deafness, and set amongst an ever changing Europe this is a wonderfully engaging love story about an eternal mystery.

Immortal is the perfect piece of historical fiction for me, seamlessly blending fact and fiction with plenty of historical detail. In my family I am the art aficionado, whilst my husband is the classical music brain, so whilst I knew Beethoven’s music I didn’t know much about the man himself, but I had heard of this letter. Like many artistic geniuses, he was a torchered soul, having a difficult childhood,and being estranged from his brothers, and used music to express his emotions. He seemed to need to be loved and wanted, especially by women, most of who were part of the aristocracy, of which there was a lot in Europe at that time, and who he could never marry due to the class system. Into his world come Countessses Theresa and Josephine Brunsvik, both of whom are accomplished musicians and huge admirers of Beethoven’s music. It is through his relationship and friendship with Teresa and Josephine that we see Beethoven the man, his insecurities, his success and his failures.

Through the characters of Josephine and Theresa we see how women were treated through this period of late eighteenth to early nineteenth century. Everything was based on getting the best marriage possible, regardless of love or age. One married it is the old story of women being property of their husbands, having no say in money or really in their children’s lives. Josephine finds herself widowed meaning her husbands family could take her children away from her, especially if she remarried. Theresa can be seen as a trailblazer, deciding never to get married after seeing the challenges her sister goes through. She is a believer in the education of girls as well as boys, so much so that in later life she established a school for girls.

This period of history is fascinating, with a lot of changes going on in Europe and beyond. Nearly ever character is either a Prince or Princess, Count or Countess Duke or Duchess as Europe had many smaller states and not the bigger countries we have today. The cultural, political and social history is written with sublime detail, following the Napopeonic Wars accross Europe that change the face of the cities including Viena on the surface and in the government. The oppulance of the palaces, filled with Grand Master art, having the most famous composers, Schubert as well as Salieri and Beethoven entertain their guests. Also at the forefront is the importance of lineage, where class is important and marriage to someone of a lower class would have been a scandal. All this luxury is juxtaposed with the harsh effects of the war, the shortages of food, the lack of money and the death of the soldiers.

What struck me the most though with this book is how Jessica Duchen skillfully brings the music of Beethoven to life. It is strange to think of reading about musical compositions but the descriptions and Jessica Duchen’s passion brings them to life, I really felt I understood the notes on the page and could hear the pieces in my head; I did end up listening to parts of the pieces mentioned in the book to get a more rounded view of Beethoven.

Immortal is a stunning and fascinating read. The love story of Beethoven’s ‘Immortal Beloved at it’s heart is dazzling if heartbreaking, and Jessica Duchen does make a good case for the lady named in this book (you need to read the book to find out). Written with skill, passion and wonderful detail, this is the perfect read for this years two hundred anf fiftieth celebration of his birth.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beethoven was a difficult genius, who wrote complex music previously undreamt of, who lived in a time of conflict across Europe, and in this novel, loved with a steadfast devotion that many have wondered about since his death. This is a novel which recalls the identity of that love amongst the vicissitudes of Napoleon's military activities across Europe and the social conventions that prevented people from marriage. It is told from the point of view of a singular woman who wants more from life than a suitable marriage and children, but is also devoted to certain people and determined to fulfil certain dreams. Therese is a countess, a musician and an unreliable narrator of a complex and vivid story of love, social concerns and music, especially relating to the challenging figure of Beethoven who dominates the narrative.

This is a book written with a keen appreciation and knowledge of Bethoven’s work, as the difficulties and dedications of various pieces are written with real understanding. Beethoven is a character on the edge, difficult, unpredictable and liable to furious outbursts. Josephine may well be the woman he loves, but we see her through the unreliable eyes of Therese or Tesi. This is a complex story of love and betrayal in difficult circumstances, of unplanned pregnancies, of the social disgrace accorded to women who did not follow convention and much more. It is a well paced and occasionally disturbing story of love and life, and pushes the boundaries between reality and fiction. I was very pleased to have the opportunity to read and review this compelling book.

The novel begins with the young Tesi and Pepi being taken by their mother to launch them in society in Vienna. Tesi has already decided that she will not marry, partly out of devotion to her late father, partly because she dreams of teaching girls who have thus far gone uneducated. Pepi, on the other hand, is delighted to wear beautiful dresses and jewelry, attend balls and dance. They are both accomplished pianists, who have revelled in the late Mozart’s work. They have hopes of lessons from the young Beethoven whose astonishing music is beginning to find favour with influential people in the strict society. People tell the sisters that he rarely gives lessons, and never attends other people’s houses to teach. However, when they meet something about the girls attracts him, and amidst the social whirl of picnics, parties and balls, the girls see a lot of the lonely man as they begin to understand how driven he is to make unique music. There is an attraction between Pepi and Beethoven, but his non aristocratic birth means their marriage is effectively forbidden. Pepi marries another man and has children, but in the complex social system of Europe at the time different pressures affect families and individuals, as the ambitious Napoleon changes from glorious hero to self appointed Emperor. Betrayal and cruelty, financial pressures and more shake the family and friends of the young women as they try to find peace, experience highs and lows, and overlap with the stunning music of a driven man.

I found this an amazing book for its research, insights into the world of dynamic change, and the position of women as they began to discover new ways to live. It provides one explanation of the famous “Immortal Beloved” letter discovered among Beethoven's effects, and compiles an authentic picture of how his music developed. It has a depth of musical understanding that exceeds most fictional work, and I found it a moving and even inspirational book. It is stunning in its detail and understanding of illness and childbirth at the time, and provides a touching description of Beethoven’s descent into terrible deafness. I found it a compelling read and a persuasive picture of an unconventional woman who had an explanation for one of history’s great mysteries. I recommend it as a piece of historical fiction that revels in the research that anchors it, and flows beautifully through lives of love and loss.

[Emma Rowson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve had a really long break from historical fiction up until the last few weeks, and I can’t fathom why. Immortal has reminded me just how much history sparks in me. I was drawn in, wanting to know more, researching – the people, the places, the era, and looking for music I would never ordinarily think to listen to. One of the things that haunts me however with historical fiction as a genre is the many, many women who are forgotten. Stories forever lost, forced to hide in the shadows of men. That thought really resonated with me when reading this novel.

Inspired by the life of Beethoven and letters addressing his ‘Immortal Beloved’, Immortal rather wonderfully, instead of following a Beethoven centred narrative, choses to tell the story through the eyes of Countess Therese Brunsvik, a woman suspected throughout history to be Beethoven’s secret love. Here, Beethoven, although an imposing presence throughout, takes a back seat to Therese and her sister Josephine. Inspired by the words and works of a man, this is a tale that belongs to the women.

Of course, the real details are lost to history and this is a fictional imagining concocted by piecing together pieces of the past and casting assumptions. But I loved it. Therese is a wonderfully strong, competent woman, an ardent feminist in a time when women were viewed as pretty pieces of property with no rights. And it was these lack of rights and the ‘rules’ of a hypocritical society that form the real tragedy of this tale. The details of how women were treated in the past always make me angry, more so when, although clearly there has been great strides in terms of women’s rights in the modern day, I can still see shadows of what was still lingering today.

The era is tumultuous, set to the backdrop of the Napoleonic wars. Based in large part in Vienna, the aristocracy display their privilege unashamedly. The hypocrisies of the class system burned me, and I found myself endlessly frustrated at the ways in which Josephine in particular found herself in an unending cycle of imprisonment, trapped by consequence of her gender. I found it particularly interesting how Beethoven, although male and revered by the aristocracy, was subject to similar constraints in matters of love, due simply to his class.

One of the most wonderful aspects of this novel is the treatment of music. I love music, but I would say in a superficial way and I claim no expertise in the subject, except that I love the way that it makes me feel. And I think that this came through so strongly here. The way in which Therese describes music, the mirroring of emotion in the notes played, the subtleties and the way in which the music spoke to those listening. Very often the description of the music being played felt so incredibly sensual, and soul baring, that I would find myself flooded with goosebumps. True immortality is the way in which the composer lives on in these works of art.

A wonderful novel, compelling, clever and beautifully told through the eyes of an incredible woman. I found utter escape in these pages, and I felt sad to reach its end. Immortal has inspired me.

[Alice McVeigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don’t let its length put you off – this is a fast and hugely enjoyable read. Ms Duchen wears her learning very lightly and, though the research involved must have been formidable, the book in your hand feels natural and easy. This is probably because, in the best tradition of historical fiction, the author is fundamentally interested in the dynamics of character.

It is, in essence, a tale of two sisters: the younger one beautiful, volatile and sought-after, the elder one disabled, rather more brilliant and much more thoughtful. Hungarian countesses, they are still relatively poor, except in culture – both are piano students of Beethoven. Unluckily – in different ways – both sisters suffer for the sake of the family. Even after the disaster of her sister’s first marriage is ended, Terese has frequent difficulty assisting the vivacious Josephine out of trouble.

Yet between vivid depictions of Prague, Geneva and the aftermath of Napoleon’s invasion of Vienna, we’re treated to many other strong characterizations: the sister’s scheming mother, Josephine’s debt-ridden, opportunistic (even vicious) brothers-in-law, Terese’s own chances at love with Anton and Louis – along with powerfully imagined scenes with the tempestuous Beethoven, himself.

I also loved some of Duchen’s impressions of his sublime late works – possibly because I agree that this was what “he had been seeking all along”. However, this book would never make a non-musical reader feel excluded. Instead, it prioritises what every reader really wants – a gripping story.

Of course, in her choice of the mercurial Josephine as Beethoven’s “Immortal Beloved”, Duchen may possibly be mistaken. Having famously had an eye for his nobly born and charismatic young female pupils, Beethoven has left behind him a handful of other pretty persuasive contenders. But I seriously doubt whether any of the rivals for the position could inspire a finer book than this. Very highly recommended. PS Would be a wonderful choice for a book club. The contrast between the attitudes of the sisters, the portrayal of the Master, the place of women in the society of the period: it's all here!

[Emma's Things to Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read some fantastic historical fiction this year and this book is up there with the best.
I know absolutely nothing about Beethoven so this book has been a fascinating read.
Beethoven’s genius and passion for his art, his dedication to his students and patrons is apparent throughout the book.
There is a lot about the music in the book – names of pieces and descriptions as the Brunsvik family respond to listening to and playing new pieces. I have found it has added to my experience of the book to listen to the pieces as I have read.
The Brunsvik sisters are fascinating characters.
Younger sister Josephine, known as Pepi is beautiful and a gifted pianist. The book portrays the intense connection between her and Beethoven that reveals itself in his music.
Theresa is mature and serious, interested in education she dreams of running a school. She provides friendship and support for both Pepi and Beethoven, sometimes at the expense of her own desires.
The backdrop for the book is Austria and Hungary during the Napoleonic Wars. The Brunsvik sisters face the constraints of a society with strict expectations for women born into the nobility. Josephine is expected to marry an aristocrat regardless of their compatibility and financial situation. No matter how successful and acclaimed Beethoven becomes, his status as a commoner means his relationship with Pepi is doomed.
Theresa is unconventional, vowing never to marry she manages family estates and cares for her nieces and nephews while developing her own interests and studies.
This is a chunky book. The writer completely immerses you in the Theresa’s world. Her voice is clear and distinct. She loves and supports her family and Beethoven but is not blind to their faults and prejudices.
The world created in the novel is utterly compelling. Duchen seemlessly blends fact and fiction as Theresa tells the story and reveals the “truth” about Beethoven’s “Immortal Beloved”.
This was a fascinating read and I am definitely inspired to find out more about the period and Theresa in particular.

[Ewan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A satisfying fictional look at a solution to the mystery of the Immortal Beloved’s identity.

Historical fiction is a hard row to hoe for a writer nowadays. Vocabularies are shrinking, yet the language is one of the best tools for creating another age. Even so, it’s easy to cross over into incomprehensibility or – worse in some eyes – into anachronistic modern vernacular. You will be pleased to know Immortal avoids both of these pitfalls. The epistolary style is reminiscent of many novels written at or before the time of the book’s setting, Choderlos de Laclos’s Les Liaisons Dangereuses being one. The narrator Therese might well have found that in her brother-in-law’s library. How far we can trust Therese’s account of events surrounding her sister’s relationship with Beethoven is a matter to ponder throughout.

Beethoven is rendered beautifully, Duchen really brings him to life via the quill of Countess Therese Brunsvik. The arcane and frankly ridiculous conventions and rules of society are skewered by the Countess, although from a position of relative privilege.

However, what really make this book stand out are the incredibly vivid passages describing the music. Duchen leavens the in-no-way impenetrable language of musical theory with some of the best imagery concerning musical pieces I have encountered since first reading Forster’s description of Helen Schlegel’s reaction to Beethoven’s Fifth, in Howard’s End.

Immortal takes us through a colourful and rich panoply of characters and setting to give us a possible solution to an old musical mystery. At the end of Immortal, I reflected that if it wasn’t the truth, then it should have been.

Immortal, by Jessica Duchen

published by Unbound available here.

[Gina Dalfonzo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like Duchen's Beethoven. He's still the same hot-tempered, flawed man we all know, but he's also kind, generous, and surprisingly perceptive. For once we get a good look at the qualities that drew so many women to him! I also really like Therese Brunsvik as portrayed here: she's sensitive and perceptive as well, but also practical and selfless, qualities that come in handy as people and events around her spiral more and more out of control.

Josephine Brunsvik, on the contrary, comes across as a human trainwreck. Therese, the narrator, obviously loves her dearly and tries to show her as appealingly as possible, but let's face it, "Pepi" can't be left alone for five seconds without getting herself and everyone around her into a huge mess. Which makes Therese's devotion all the more poignant and admirable. The complexity of the portrayals and the relationships is really very well done.

As for Julie Guiccardi ... yikes. Yiiiiiikes. I've read one or two unflattering things about her before, but I sincerely hope she wasn't as depraved as she's depicted in the latter part of this book. There's nothing explicit, but there is something very disturbing. (Whether this depiction is true to life isn't discussed in the author's notes, which I honestly feel is a little unfair -- if the incident in question isn't based on anything real, I feel the author owed it to Guiccardi to say so! If it is ... well, let's just hope it isn't.)

Things do get pretty soap opera-ish as the story goes on, but that can be hardly helped -- these people's real lives got pretty soap opera-ish. But Duchen writes about them with an understanding and compassion that keeps the reader invested in them to the end. And she also displays the deep love and understanding of music that's absolutely essential to such a book.

[Cindy P · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was looking for a book based in Vienna and this fit the bill, but was a too dragged out. I found myself skimming the second half.

[Fizzgig · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love well written historical novels or novels about classical music then this one is for you.

The most refreshing thing here is that the characters act like adults, especially the two sisters. All too often in badly written historical fiction female figures who have a close relationship act like bitchy teenagers and are rivals for male attention.

Here the narrator is a serious minded, determined woman and it brings real depth to the story.

Absolutely wonderful. I will be re-reading this in the future

[Fran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beethoven is such a larger than life character that he still seems very real, even so long after his death. His fairly tragic life also leads to hope that some of it was spent with a true love. This is an engaging, well researched version of that.