The Heroic Symphony [School & Library Binding]

Anna Harwell Celenza (Author), Joann E. Kitchel (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 2004 | Age Range: 7 and up

When Beethoven learns he is going deaf, he is determined to write a great symphony. As war rages in Europe he thinks he has found his inspiration in the heroic deeds of Napoleon. But has he?

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 4--As in their previous collaborations, Celenza brings a famous musician to life while Kitchel provides energetic art. This time, they present the story of Beethoven's despair over his deafness and his eventual triumph as he gives himself over to the symphony that highlights his struggle to survive as a musician. Originally written as a celebration of Napoleon's victory, the four movements were meant to reflect Bonaparte's courage and heroism. Soon after Beethoven completed them, however, he discovered the great warrior's treachery in declaring himself Emperor of France. The composer ripped a copy of the score he had intended as a gift, but his friend Ferdinand Ries prevented him from destroying the composition. The Bonaparte Symphony was later renamed the Eroica, or HeroicSymphony. Celenza's research into the details of this piece of music reflects her scholarly background; she unearthed primary-source material that is described in an author's note. The stylized watercolor-and-ink paintings evoke the mood of each movement; for the first one, Napoleon's horse seems to jump right out of the musical score. To reflect the French origins of the symphony, Kitchel backs most of the illustrations with a toile design. Although there are many books on this composer, such as Barbara Nichol's Beethoven Lives Upstairs (Orchard, 1994) and Mike Venezia's Ludwig vanBeethoven(Children's, 1996), this one, with its emphasis on one segment of his life, is a worthwhile purchase.--Laurie Edwards, West Shore School District, Camp Hill, PA
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About the Author

Anna grew up on a farm in Pleasant Garden, North Carolina. She played the cello in the Greensboro Youth Orchestra and the drums in her high school marching band and jazz band. Music and the arts have always been an important part of her life. Anna receive

Product Details

• Age Range: 7 and up
  
• School & Library Binding: 32 pages
• Publisher: Charlesbridge Pub Inc (February 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1570915091
• ISBN-13: 978-1570915093
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 10.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #277,764 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Anna Harwell Celenza is the Thomas E. Caestecker Professor of Music at Georgetown University. She is the author of several scholarly books - the most recent being Hans Christian Andersen and Music: The Nightingale Revealed (2005).
In addition to her scholarly work, she has authored a series of award-winning children's books with Charlesbridge Publishing: The Farewell Symphony (2000), Pictures at an Exhibition (2003), The Heroic Symphony (2004), Bach's Goldberg Variations (2005), Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue (2006), Duke Ellington's Nutcracker Suite (2011) and Vivaldi's Four Seasons (2012). Her work has been featured on nationally syndicated radio and TV programs, including NPR's "Performance Today," the BBC's "Music Matters" and "Proms Broadcasts," and C-Span's "Book-TV".

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A TREASURE FOR YOUNG READERS April 9, 2004

By Gail Cooke HALL OF FAMETOP 500 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:School & Library Binding

The author, an associate professor at Michigan State University, has already educated and entertained young readers with the lives of two composers in "The Farewell Symphony" and "Pictures At An Exhibition." When paired with rousing watercolor and ink illustrations by JoAnn Kitchel, both of those books are small treasures, as is "The Heroic Symphony," which relates the life of Beethoven.

As the story opens Beethoven has it all - fame, fortune, and the ability to play the piano better than anyone in all of Europe. However, the music lovers who flocked to hear him have no idea that he is slowly losing his hearing. Desperate, hoping for a cure in the spring of 1802 Beethoven fled to a remote clinic.. But there was no help for him.

As Beethoven despaired a melody began to fill his mind, and he realized that if he could no longer play the piano he could compose. He knew that he wanted to write music that would not only entertain but would also inspire, so he searched for inspiration. One name came to him - a war hero, Napoleon Bonaparte.

Later, upon learning that his hero, Bonaparte, had crowned himself Emperor of France Beethoven attempted to destroy his months of work, but was stopped by a close friend. At length Beethoven scratched the name Bonaparte from his manuscript and wrote a new title, "The Heroic Symphony."

A CD recording of Beethoven's Symphony No. 3 ("Eroica" is included. It is performed by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Sir Georg Solti.

- Gail Cooke

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A treasure from this author and illustrator is no surprise! July 24, 2006

By mom2two VINE™ VOICE

Format:School & Library Binding|Amazon Verified Purchase

I am in love with this series of books for children! I own three of them and can't wait to get the rest. This is a perfect series for homeschooling families, or parents who want to supplement what their children are learning outside the home. This book not only tells the story of Beethoven's life and inspiration for writing The Heroic Symphony, but it also gives some of France's history at the time that Beethoven wrote it. The illustrations are beautiful and truly works of art in themselves. This book will be used by our family and passed down to be used again and again. The CD which accompanies it is very well done. My children love to listen to the music and love the story that goes along with it. I feel that the love of classical music is a great gift to give any child. This book is well worth the money, and hard to find at a lower price! Well done!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great lesson for kids December 18, 2007

By V. BURKE

Format:School & Library Binding|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is an excellent book to share with a young person - age range three to about age eight. The lesson taught is one of never giving up. Adversity may make the task more difficult, but not impossible. Telling the story of Beethoven in this way was a brilliant move. Very highly recommended.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars The Heroic Symphony March 9, 2005

A Kid's Review

Format:School & Library Binding

The heroic symphony is a true story about Ludwig Van Beethovens symphony no.3 also called the Heroic symphony.THe book has cute well drawn pictures that are fun to look at. it gave good info and wasnt hard to read. it can be a book for all ages and many are sure to enjoy[this book]. it also comes with a cd which is the heroic symphony music