The Beethoven Compendium [Paperback]

Barry Cooper (Author), Cooper Barry (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 2010

A reference book containing information about Beethoven's life and times. Features include a chronology of Beethoven's life and works, a list of works with commentaries, a who's who of contemporaries, historical and musical background and accounts of daily life from diaries and documents.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Thames & Hudson (June 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0500278717
• ISBN-13: 978-0500278710
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,715,343 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating and Wonderfully Complete!, April 29, 2000

By 

grandpiano_57 "James" (Burlington, CT USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Beethoven Compendium (Paperback)

This book offers chapter after chapter of information on every aspect of Beethoven. I find that every time I pick this book up, I can find something interesting to read about. Obviously the music as catalogued and described. Beyond that, details of the great composer's personality, writing style, health difficulties, as well as his known views on a variety of topics provide endless hours of fascinating reading. I am impressed by the thoroughness of this book. Listings of people who Beethoven knew or interacted with, his influences and those he influenced, pictures and descriptions of his handwriting and manuscripts, the historical perspective on the times he lived in, all clearly described. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in learning more about this great master, and to anyone who is interested in the life and times of one of the most influential artists to ever live. In summary I have found it accurate and complete and always interesting. It is an indispensable reference.

34 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Everything to do with Beethoven!, June 28, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: The Beethoven Compendium (Paperback)

This book has the biography, the politics of the times, the pictures of, the letters of, the thoughts of others about him, deciphering of each piece of music, a list of his contemporaries, patrons, loves, friends, family tree... everything you could ever want to know about Beethoven's life and times! I love this book

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unparalleled Structure, November 13, 2000

By 

Absurdist Ad Nauseam (Pittsburgh, PA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Beethoven Compendium (Paperback)

Undoubtedly thousands of books have been written about Beethoven, but what sets this one apart from the others is its well-organized and exhaustive structure. Perhaps the best way to highlight this for the prospective buyer is to list the actual sections contained in this book. 1. Calendar of Beethoven's life, works and related events 2. Beethoven's family tree 3. Who's who of Beethoven's contemporaries 4. Historical background 5. Musical background 6. Beethoven as an individual 7. Beethoven's beliefs and opinions. Following section 7 are several more sections dedicated solely to his music. As you can see, this book offers several aspects that many others neglect to include. This structure also affords one the opportunity to go directly to an area of interest without having to wade through myriad pages. Also included are eight pages of paintings, sculptures and sketches of the maestro. This book is equally at home in the bathroom, on the coffee table, or in the study. It is an invaluable source of information for anyone desiring to learn more about this amazing genius.