Triumphantly rendered, this fictionalized biography of Ludwig van Beethoven is a story as immortal as the composer's music. John Suchet journeys through Beethoven's early years as child prodigy to his later life as a musical master, haunted by personal tragedies. Based firmly on fact, this novel is sure to capture an audience of classical music devotees as well as history buffs.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Review
'The heartshaking story of genius and passionate loneliness is brilliantly researched and lovingly told' - Mail on Sunday 'Suchet's achievement is masterly, bringing Beethoven and the Vienna of his day convincingly to life' - Sunday Telegraph
--This text refers to an alternate
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About the Author
John Suchet is an award-winning television journalist and newscaster. He is now the regular presenter of the EARLY EVENING NEWS and frequently presents NEWS AT TEN.
--This text refers to an alternate
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Learn about Beethoven's life in the form of a story,
By A Customer
This review is from: Last Master, The: Passion and Anger - Volume 1 (Vol 1) (Paperback)
Memorising facts about Beethoven is difficult enough, yet when I had finished this book I understood how he began his musical education, his family situation, his longing to meet Mozart in Vienna and his difficulty in getting there. The book gives details of his personal friendships and those who gave him patronage. You may wonder why the Pathetique was dedicated to Lichnowsky, yet the book sets out the nature of their relationship and those similar. This first volume captures the beginnings of Beethoven's hearing problems and the attempts by many doctor's to cure him. Based on accounts by friends of Beethoven and letters to him and from him, the book successfully gives the reader an insight into the life of Beethoven without being boring. The author has added the dialogue , but as he says 'always in accordance with the known facts'. (Suchet 1996: Postscript)
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A delightful and historically accurate novel of Beethoven,
By GKMozart@aol.com (Tucson AZ) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Last Master, The: Passion and Anger - Volume 1 (Vol 1) (Paperback)
I was overjoyed to find a book such as the one written by John Suchet. I commend the author for writing a book about Beethoven in a way that I don't think was accomplished before. I hope that John Suchet may provide future "historical novels" about other famous composers. I am a pianist myself, and I love reading about the lives of the great composers. I recommend this book for anyone who wants to learn about Ludwig van Beethoven from the point of view of a story.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
An enjoyable way to learn about the life of Beethoven,
By A Customer
This review is from: Last Master, The: Passion and Anger - Volume 1 (Vol 1) (Paperback)
This is a wonderful book, and a great way to learn about the life of Beethoven. I'm hoping that subsequent volumes will be available soon. The book takes you through the first 30 or so years of Beethoven's life, right from the time when he was a little child. The story is told from Beethoven's point of view, and helps you understand his life, and what he went through as he slowly comes to terms with the fact that he is losing his hearing.
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Inside This Book
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First Sentence:
Johann van Beethoven thought of himself as a likeable man. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
improvisation contest, first benefit concert, assistant court organist, late elector, deaf musician, senior musician, dotted minim, dotted crotchet, three piano sonatas, fortissimo chords, opus number, quasi una fantasia, piano variations, piano trios, fine pianist, first symphony, three trios Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Herr Beethoven, Prince Lichnowsky, Ludwig van Beethoven, Frau Breuning, Wolfgang Mozart, Herr Haydn, Prince Lobkowitz, Herr Ludwig, Herr Mozart, Count Waldstein, Max Franz, Franz Wegeler, Johann van Beethoven, First Minister, Franz Ries, Baron Swieten, Herr Neefe, Stephan Breuning, Maximilian Friedrich, Ferdi Ries, Herr Ries, Opus Number One, Doktor Schmidt, Gottlob Neefe, Imperial Majesty New!
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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Johann van Beethoven thought of himself as a likeable man. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
improvisation contest, first benefit concert, assistant court organist, late elector, deaf musician, senior musician, dotted minim, dotted crotchet, three piano sonatas, fortissimo chords, opus number, quasi una fantasia, piano variations, piano trios, fine pianist, first symphony, three trios Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Herr Beethoven, Prince Lichnowsky, Ludwig van Beethoven, Frau Breuning, Wolfgang Mozart, Herr Haydn, Prince Lobkowitz, Herr Ludwig, Herr Mozart, Count Waldstein, Max Franz, Franz Wegeler, Johann van Beethoven, First Minister, Franz Ries, Baron Swieten, Herr Neefe, Stephan Breuning, Maximilian Friedrich, Ferdi Ries, Herr Ries, Opus Number One, Doktor Schmidt, Gottlob Neefe, Imperial Majesty New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 12
books:
See all 12 books this book cites
- The Marriage of Figaro (Le Nozze di Figaro): Vocal Score by Ruth Martin on 7 pages
- Don Giovanni in Full Score by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart on page 136, page 138, and page 317
- The Letters of Beethoven by Ludwig Van Beethoven on page 612
- Thayer's Life of Beethoven, Part I by Elliot Forbes on page 611
- Missa Sancti Nicolai in G Major: Hob. XXII: 6 by H. C. Robbins Landon on page 175
See all 12 books this book cites
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