Ludwig Van Beethoven Bicentennial Edition 1770-1970

by Joseph Schmidt-Gorg (editor), Hans Schmidt (editor)

XOS-780.92S Bicentennial Edition 1770-1970

Genres: Music, Biography

276 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1970

Reviews

[Steven Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a coffee table book, put out by the recording company Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft (DGG), commemorating the bicentennial of Beethoven's birth (it was publihed in 1972, but 1970 represents the 200 year anniversary). The book is heavily illustrated, including samples of Beethoven's scores for his music.

The book begins with an essay on the life of Beethoven (written by Joseph Schmidt-Gorg). This includes the text (in English) of the Heiligenstadt Testament, filled with a sort of stoic resignation, with his deafness increasing. Following are chapters on his symphonies, concertos, chamber music with wind instruments, piano trios and quartets, his one opera (Fidelio), music for the sdtage, miscellanous vocal works, and so on.

The book closes with a chapter on Beethoven's character and way of life (fascinating reading). At the end is a bibliography, indexes, a discography of key DGG versions of Beethoven's works (e.g., von Karajan's set of all nine symphonies is selected), and a list of the composer's works.

[Doug · Rating 4 out of 5]

More an anthology than a biography, this book gives a thorough record of both the man and his music, and his times. The book is of the dimensions of LP vinyl records of the time (the 1970s) and is a companion to the Deutschland Gramophone commemorative collection making the bicentennial of Beethoven’s life. It’s not a book to read from cover to cover unless you are devoted reader of biographies. But maybe this should be corrected.

[Dianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this book and am keeping it on my coffee table until it is due back at the library. I have just started reading it and there are lots of pictures. I give it 4 stars now although I might give it 5 but I am also reading the biography of Melbourne by David Cecil and just started it as well and it is amazingly well written and of the two I like it better for now.

[Douglas Hillman · Rating 5 out of 5]

FABULOUS biography of my favorite artist. Full of pics of his original manuscripts, theater bills, contemporary portraits, etc.

[Cws]

XOS-780.92S