Customer Reviews

Beethoven: Man of His Word: Undisclosed Evidence for His Immortal Beloved

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Although awkwardly written, this book is based on extensive research and investigation which leads to many new insights. Well worth reading for convincing arguements proposing Anna Marie Erdody as the immortal beloved. Also relates Beethoven's behaviour to his relationship with Erdody.

In presenting a compelling case for the identity of the Immortal Beloved, which is far more convincing than that offered by the recent film (which was otherwise excellent), the author also provides a passionate defense of the composer's character and values, particularly in his romantic relationships. The Maestro would be pleased. An easy, entertaining read and a well documented and substantiated argument.

This book is clearly by an amateur who struggles to make a case for Erdoty as "immortal beloved" and in my view fails. My bias is that Solomon has convinced me it is Antonie Brentano. However the author has compiled a lot of facts that bear on the case, in one way or another,and could be valuable as an encyclopedic resource.There is always the chance that Brentano, like others, was a passing obsession of the composer, and that others had as great a claim on his heart of hearts. Admitting this, a better read is Gregory's historico-fiction My Angel Leonora of 2004, which relates the composer's passions to his music and his search for an ideal father: the many strands of his complex life come together more convincingly if Antonie is the "beloved."

Does everyone has to think in the same way?
My answer is NO! And Gail Altman takes another look at a subject that too many people think as settled.
Gail Alman shows new evidence, and mainly new interpretations about the well known Immortal Beloved.
She quotes Beethoven and proposes a name...
Just read it!

Who is Gail Altman? After reading this utterly fascinating little book, I am beside myself with curiosity. What strange, twisted mind would devote (waste?) thirty years of her life to researching Beethoven and produce a book like this?

It is too easy, I suppose, to pick on the author. After all, her grasp of European political history seems to come from watching History Channel programs. The writing reminds me of the captions in my high school yearbook, the knowledge of current musicological research limited to the aforementioned History Channel programs, with maybe a PBS special or two thrown in.

All in all, the author reminds me of a pathetic little girl who has a desperate crush on an older boy. Unable to bear it when the object of her affection behaves badly, she spends her time writing long love letters in her diary.

And then for some reason it gets published as a book! Who would have thought!

Who is Gail Altman? After reading this utterly fascinating little book, I am beside myself with curiosity. What strange, twisted mind would devote (waste?) thirty years of her life to researching Beethoven and produce a book like this?

It is too easy, I suppose, to pick on the author. After all, her grasp of European political history seems to come from watching History Channel programs. The writing reminds me of the captions in my high school yearbook, the knowledge of current musicological research limited to the aforementioned History Channel programs, with maybe a PBS special or two thrown in.

All in all, the author reminds me of a pathetic little girl who has a desperate crush on an older boy. Unable to bear it when the object of her affection behaves badly, she spends her time writing long love letters in her diary.

And then for some reason it gets published as a book! Who would have thought!