Customer Reviews

Beethoven's Letters (Dover Books on Music)

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This is a fascinating book told by Beethoven himself. Considering the large volume of compositions written by Beethoven, it is amazing the amount of Beethoven's letter-writing. Many of his letters describe work-in-progress. Others talk about his patrons, fellow musicians, publishers, and personal friends. There are even some letters written to some of the women Beethoven admired. There are musical quotations of different compositions that were works-in-progress. Some of the pages show copies of some of Beethoven's actual scores. The translator lavishly uses footnotes to describe the historical background surrounding the period of Beethoven's life.

How could it not be fascinating? The real thing - he was not writing with the thought that his letters would ever be published and as the editor says - how can we judge a genius by ordinary means?? His personal life was extreme, but his letters show us the real man with a true heart and extreme emotions. I just loved this book. I'm not a music specialist - this book is written for the general public - I love classical music and play the piano - but now as I play Beethoven his life rings out more meaningfully to me and I forgive him his sins of passion - as I thrill in playing the music of this genius.

Beethoven's Letters
As a pianist, teacher, adjudicator, examiner, critic and author, I am often presented with performances of Beethoven's works that offer no insight or understanding of Beethoven the man or his music! When giving master classes, I encourage students to read his letters and analyze his music before attempting to perform it. Most consider Beethoven an unpleasant, angry, reclusive human being! Beethoven's letters prove these thoughts to be totally invalid! When writing to his brothers (Heiligenstadt Testament),Beethoven shows an essence of lament because he is so distraught about the false opinions of others toward him. In his letter's we find the true essence of this great man.
Beethoven was a man of morality, truth, and beauty very much like Schubert. Beethoven's deep love of nature is well-known and well documented in his letters and shows in his music too! He was a deeply religious man. Beethoven's attitude may have been more of conventional Catholic ecclesiastical views, but as his letters show, there are countless evidences of his spirituality.
In Beethoven's letter's the fundamental differences are clear. I feel the most important ones are these:
Purity. There is never one single moment of something demonic or unhealthy in his music.
Dignity. He is always completely honest in his music. And there is never a trace of something that might be interpreted as self pity. Pain and sorrow, yes, but nothing to suggest that he ever felt sorry for himself.
His letter's convey a very good guess that Beethoven's deafness may have been a result of his attempts to press his excellent hearing sense to the extreme in order to gain the ultimate understanding of music! The reading of Beethoven's letters is paramount for those who truly want to know the essence of the man and how to approach performing his music!

Author: Raymond Vacchino M.Mus.(MT) A.Mus. L.R.S.M. Licentiate (hon.)

Reading these letters feel like I'm being granted a rare insight into Beethoven's personal life.

If you were looking for an interesting gift for a music lover, look no further. For the right person, this will be a true treasure.

I love Beethoven and his music. This look into his personal life is fascinating and enlightening. I couldn't put it down.