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Beethoven: A Life in Nine Pieces Hardcover – October 26, 2020

by Laura Tunbridge (Author)

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A major new biography published for the 250th anniversary of Beethoven’s birth, offering a fresh, human portrayal

“Illuminating. . . . Tunbridge’s pithy A Life in Nine Pieces is different and welcome: a biography presented through the focus of nine different compositions.”—Fiona Maddocks, The Guardian

“Rewarding. . . . A lot of information is packed into her musical portraits.”—Richard Fairman, Financial Times

The iconic image of Beethoven is of him as a lone genius: hair wild, fists clenched, and brow furrowed. Beethoven may well have shaped the music of the future, but he was also a product of his time, influenced by the people, politics, and culture around him. Oxford scholar Laura Tunbridge offers an alternative history of Beethoven’s career, placing his music in contexts that shed light on why particular pieces are valued more than others, and what this tells us about his larger-than-life reputation. Each chapter focuses on a period of his life, a piece of music, and a revealing theme, from family to friends, from heroism to liberty. We discover, along the way, Beethoven’s unusual marketing strategies, his ambitious concert programming, and how specific performers and instruments influenced his works. This book offers new ways to understand Beethoven and why his music continues to be valued today.

Print length

288 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Yale University Press
Publication date

October 26, 2020
Dimensions

5.5 x 1 x 8.5 inches
ISBN-10

030025458X
ISBN-13

978-0300254587
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“A concise, subtly revealing survey, [that] complements [Beethoven’s] protean image by emphasizing the many-sidedness of the composer’s spirit.”—Alex Ross, New Yorker

“Illuminating . . . Tunbridge’s pithy A Life in Nine Pieces is different and welcome: a biography presented through the focus of nine different compositions, each casting light on aspects of Beethoven’s life, character and, given equal and readily comprehensible attention, the music.”—Fiona Maddocks, The Guardian

“Focusing on nine pivotal works, this study, equal parts musicological and biographical, complicates the simplistic portrait of Beethoven as an isolated, single-minded genius.”—New Yorker

“Rewarding . . . a lot of information is packed into her musical portraits.”—Richard Fairman, Financial Times

“Over the years, scores of Beethoven biographies have been written, some of which have fostered a number of myths about him. Tunbridge’s impeccably researched, elegantly written volume sets the record straight. . . . Music students and aficionados alike will appreciate this engaging and accessible portrait of the composer.”—Library Journal

“One could hardly expect something new and distinctive, no matter the vastness of the output, on such a venerable subject, yet here it is! . . . Tunbridge's writing is vivid, so evocative of time and place as to be almost cinematic. She utilizes source material both familiar and unfamiliar to draw some conclusions not heard before, and these are convincing. . . . The present volume, ingenious and somehow inevitable (rather like a Beethoven piece), is for everyone who cares about Beethoven's music. . . . . Essential. Lower-division undergraduates through faculty; general readers.”—B. J. Murray, Choice

“Elegantly-inquiring . . . Tunbridge’s writing has a richness which makes this book much more than an extended program note.”—Julian Glover, Evening Standard

“Intelligent throughout”—Tyler Cowen, Marginal Revolution

“[It’s] a book of great value, because it enlivens Beethoven through small details, human details.”—Conlan Salgado, Sun News Tucson

“A book that will be enjoyed by anyone interested in Beethoven’s life and works.”—Tim Bouverie, Air Mail

CHOICE Outstanding Academic Titles 2021

“Laura Tunbridge pursues her subject with consistently perceptive critical acumen.”—Kenneth Stilwell, Nineteenth-Century Music Review

“We are doubly blessed that Beethoven should have led such an extraordinary life. Laura has combined the two—the genius of his music and the richness of his experiences—to shine a revealing light on our greatest composer.”—John Humphrys, broadcaster

“In a year when everyone's looking for a new take on Beethoven, Laura Tunbridge has found nine. It makes great sense to look at the composer not thematically but in selected fragments, taking us nine small steps closer to his elusive totality. Fresh and engaging.”—Norman Lebrecht, author of Genius and Anxiety

“Tunbridge has come up with the seemingly impossible: a new way of approaching Beethoven's life and music…and in every chapter a superb—and accessible to non-musicians—analysis of the music…. [P]rofoundly original and hugely readable.”—John Suchet, author Beethoven: The Man Revealed

“Remarkable…. [Tunbridge] captures the essence of his genius and character. I'll always want to keep it in easy reach.”—Julia Boyd, author of Travellers in the Third Reich

About the Author

Laura Tunbridge is professor of music at the University of Oxford.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Yale University Press (October 26, 2020)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 288 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 030025458X
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0300254587
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 15.2 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 1 x 8.5 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #840,866 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #257 in Classical Musician Biographies
- #1,477 in Classical Music (Books)
- #2,142 in German History (Books)

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Laura Tunbridge

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Laura Tunbridge is a Professor of Music, and Henfrey Fellow and Tutor at St Catherine's College, at the University of Oxford, having previously taught at the University of Manchester. She has appeared on BBC Radio 4 (Start the Week, Front Row, In Our Time, In Business) and BBC Radio 3 (Music Matters, Record Review, The Listening Service) and regularly gives pre-concert talks.

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4.6 out of 5

240 global ratings

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amazon customer

What a great concept

Reviewed in the United States on January 21, 2021

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We all have pre-conceived ideas about Beethoven, and this book helps to sort out facts vs. fiction.
Each chapter is based on one of his works, some lesser known, some classics. I literally played a YouTube version of that work while reading each corresponding chapter. I learned so much new music and now have a more refined appreciation for the greatest composer of all time.

9 people found this helpful

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Douglas McFarland

A Must for the 250th B'Day Year

Reviewed in the United States on December 1, 2020

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Erudite and informed, well researched, but goes far beyond and offer biographical glimpses into the man and composer via only nine of his works. Extremely well done.

3 people found this helpful

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P. J. Owen

A unique approach to Beethoven's life

Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2022

Not a lot here new, though I like the angle of relating Beethoven’s life through different pieces. Other than the Septet, Op.20 and “An den Geliebte”, all the works are well-known and many are interesting enough pieces in their own right to deserve a lengthy examination. But, even though Turnbridge does give some musical analysis, most of the book discusses each piece’s relevance to Beethoven’s biography, and their general relevance to the history of Western classical music. Much is discussed about Beethoven’s patronage and publishing in the early nineteenth century, for example.

This is a great starter biography for anyone interested in learning more about Beethoven, or maybe someone who knows a bit already but wants a refresher, or a unique angle into his various eras. Anyone wanting to learn more should start with one of the classic biographies, like Maynard Solomon’s great Beethoven. Turnbridge also suggests several other books at the end of this book, for those who are interested in learning more about Beethoven.

Reviewed in the United States on January 19, 2021

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El libro llego intacto, muy buena calidad

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Nancy Adair

Fascinating Biography Through Music

Reviewed in the United States on November 17, 2020

I listened to the 'Hammerklavier' on YouTube with the music appearing in the visual. "Beethoven's impossible piece" was dedicated to his student Prince Rudolf whose health precluded him from actually playing it. In the year of its composition, Beethoven said that he had not known how to compose, but he knew now.

I was stunned by the music. I studied piano as a girl and have enjoyed playing (badly) for my own enjoyment. I had some idea of what was required to perform it. Few could actually conquer it, Laura Tunbridge writes in her new biography, Beethoven.

I have heard Beethoven in concert many times. I had never heard this piece before and would have remained ignorant if not for Tunbridge including it in her book. It is one of the nine pivotal compositions she uses to tell the story of Beethoven's life.

The composer lived through turbulent times and decades of war. The age of reason morphed into the romantic era. Beethoven took music into the sublime and beyond, shocking people with its dissonance and loudness. Some complained that the music was too cerebral, 'elaborate musical puzzles.'

Through Beethoven's music, Tunbridge presents a complete biography. The familiar questions of the identity of 'The Immortal Beloved' and the changing dedication of the 'Eroica' are discussed, but also the development of the piano and the role of the conductor in his time, self-marketing and sheet music, Beethoven's religious life, and the long custody battle over his nephew. I found it all fascinating, and I felt I had a better grasp of this iconic composer.

I listened to the music as Tunbridge discussed the piece, added so much to my appreciation, doubling my enjoyment of this biography.

I received a free egalley from the publisher through NetGalley. My review is fair and unbiased.

11 people found this helpful

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Alfredo

La gran escuela musicológica de Oxford

Reviewed in Spain on September 11, 2023

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Un libro impresionante que ilustra la vida de Beethoven alrededor de la composición de nueve de sus obras, desde el Septimino (que el compositor llegó a odiar) hasta la Missa Solemnis (cuyo plazo de entrega incumplió de largo). El libro está lleno de datos sobre cómo se vivía en Viena en tiempos de Beethoven, y también, por ejemplo, de cómo Ludwig y su hermano Karl regateaban al alimón con los editores a ver quién pagaba más. Pero lo mejor es que está escrito en el estilo de la actual escuela musicológica de Oxford, de la que la autora es una de las más jóvenes incorporaciones: un ejemplo de cómo usando el inglés común dando a las palabras su auténtico sentido se puede hacer un libro de gran altura académica

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James Edwards

A very readable account of the composer's life enhanced by reference to key compositions.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 30, 2022

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Bought in conjunction with Beethoven: The Man Revealed by John Suchet, the 'Tunbridge approach' has attracted impressive reviews in the likes of BBC Music magazine.

Most music references are likely to be readily accessible on disc and streaming services.

Julian

Buen libro.-Excelente si se quiere profundizar en la obra de Beethoven

Reviewed in Spain on February 6, 2021

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Vendedor magnífico. Buen precio y entrega muy rápida

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Joanne Rogers

Pick a piece

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 15, 2020

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Unusual approach. No need to read the book in sequence. One can pick a piece, listen and read about it alongside. So I'm very pleased witht he book. Bought months ago and I'm still reading a chapter at a time. We should have more of these format of books especially on classical music. Delighted.

5 people found this helpful

Mr. Brian Barber

New insights into a well-known character.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 20, 2021

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Laura Tunbridge has succeeded royally in bringing a new (for me) perspective on the life of Beethoven. A most enjoyable and informative book. I highly recommend it to all lovers of both music and of history.

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