Get Beethoven

Beethoven Confidential started life as a play that was developed into a screenplay for a film starring Jodie Foster and Glenda Jackson, with Anthony Hopkins as the deaf musical genius Ludwig von Beethoven. It tells the story of the rivalry between two would-be biographers in the quest for the so-called "Immortal Beloved"—Beethoven's secret love. Personal friends of Beethoven, the biographers become pitted against each other in a race to reveal the mysterious lover. The film was never made but the mystery is solved in this novel about the great composer. It is a story that Ken Russell considers to be one of the most bizarre and compelling detective yarns of all time. Johannes Brahms was renowned for his three B's—beer, beard, and belly. Tradition has it that Brahms died a confirmed bachelor and a respected pillar of society who liked nothing better than a pint in the evening and a walk through the Black Forest at weekends. But what of his sex life? According to Ken Russell, "Brahms probably knew more about sex than any composer before or since." The evidence is in the music: for sheer sensuality try the inner movements of his Third Symphony, or the opening of his First Symphony ("tell me if that doesn't have balls") or a section in the Fourth that can only be described as "the sex act set to music." But the composer’s early life tells us more. Born in the red-light district of Hamburg, Brahms spent his formative years playing piano in city brothels. Brahms Gets Laid investigates his close association with insane genius Robert Schumann and his even closer relationship with the psychologically disturbed Clara Schumann and her daughters.

Plenty of teenagers dream about becoming a rock star but how many 10yr olds dream about becoming a world-beating string quartet, and then go ahead and do it? Following on from Paul Cassidy's popular prequel, "Get Beethoven!", Got Beethoven is a brutally honest and relentlessly entertaining account of what it’s like to be in a band. All the fun, angst, rewards and toil are brought to life and given the authority that can only come from actually living the life. The quartet’s unique fifty year history and ground-breaking musical journey means that on the same page we can enjoy tales involving such diverse artists as, Sting, Anne Sophie von Otter, Bjork or Maria Joao Pires. Their global travels release strikingly diverse adventures from Kings College Cambridge to Roskilde, Montreux to St. James’ Palace. With something for everyone, Paul Cassidy’s highly personal story manages to be factual and informative whilst remaining infectiously entertaining. Suitable for all readers, from the autobiography lovers to those who just love a great story!

**WINNER of Presto Books' Best Composer Biography** NINE WORKS OF BEETHOVEN, NINE WINDOWS INTO THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF A MUSICAL GENIUS. '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 _________________________ Ludwig van Beethoven: to some, simply the greatest ever composer of Western classical music. Yet his life remains shrouded in myths. In Beethoven, Oxford professor Laura Tunbridge cuts through the noise. With each chapter focusing on a period of his life, piece of music and revealing theme - from family to friends, from heroism to liberty - she provides a rich insight into the man and the music. Revealing a wealth of never-before-seen material, this tour de force is a compelling, accessible portrayal of one of the world's most creative minds and it will transform how you listen for ever. _________________________ 'Tunbridge has come up with the seemingly impossible: a new way of approaching Beethoven's life and music . . . profoundly original and hugely readable' John Suchet, author Beethoven: The Man Revealed 'This well researched and accessible book is a must read for all who seek to know more about the flesh and blood tangible Beethoven.' John Clubbe, author of Beethoven: The Relentless Revolutionary 'This book is really wonderful! ... However many books on Beethoven you own, find the space for one more. This one' Stephen Hough, pianist, composer, writer 'In a year when everyone's looking for a new take on Beethoven, Laura Tunbridge has found nine. Fresh and engaging' Norman Lebrecht, author of Genius and Anxiety 'Remarkable . . . she 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

“An ideal ‘first book’ on Beethoven” from one of the world’s most eminent classical music aficionados (Booklist). Beethoven scholar and classical radio host John Suchet has had a lifelong, ardent interest in the man and his music. Here, in his first full-length biography, Suchet illuminates the composer’s difficult childhood, his struggle to maintain friendships and romances, his ungovernable temper, his obsessive efforts to control his nephew’s life, and the excruciating decline of his hearing. This absorbing narrative provides a comprehensive account of a momentous life, as it takes the reader on a journey from the composer’s birth in Bonn to his death in Vienna. Chronicling the landmark events in Beethoven’s career—from his competitive encounters with Mozart to the circumstances surrounding the creation of the well-known “Für Elise” and Moonlight Sonata—this book enhances understanding of the composer’s character, inspiring a deeper appreciation for his work. Beethoven scholarship is constantly evolving, and Suchet draws on the latest research, using rare source material (some of which has never before been published in English) to paint a complete and vivid portrait of the legendary prodigy. “A gripping and thought-provoking read.” —Howard Shelley, pianist and conductor “By exercising a genuine authority in identifying how Beethoven, the man, manifests himself in our appreciation of the music, Suchet brings an incisive freshness to an extraordinary life.” —Jonathan Freeman-Attwood, Principal of the Royal Academy of Music

This biography of Ludwig van Beethoven is the first scholarly biography of Ludwig van Beethoven, covering Beethoven's life to 1816. Thayer became aware of many discrepancies in the already existing biographies of Beethoven, so in 1849 he sailed for Europe to undertake his own researches, learning German and collecting information. Still after many updates Thayer's biography of Beethoven is regarded as a standard work of reference on the composer.

Nachdruck des Originals.

Widely regarded as the greatest composer that ever lived, Ludwig van Beethoven was the principal musical figure in the transitional period between the Classical and Romantic eras. Dominating a period of musical history as no other composer before or since, Beethoven produced monumental works that combine a forceful intensity of feeling with a perfection of design. Delphi’s Great Composers Series offers concise illustrated guides to the life and works of our greatest composers. Analysing the masterworks of each composer, these interactive eBooks include links to popular streaming services, allowing you to listen to the pieces of music you are reading about. Evaluating the masterworks of each composer, you will explore the development of their works, tracing how they changed the course of music history. Whether a classical novice or a cultivated connoisseur, this series offers an intriguing overview of the world’s most famous and iconic compositions. This volume presents Beethoven’s masterworks in succinct detail, with informative introductions, accompanying illustrations and the usual Delphi bonus features. (Version 1) * Concise and informative overview of Beethoven’s masterworks * Learn about the classical pieces that made Beethoven a celebrated composer * Links to popular streaming services (free and paid), allowing you to listen to the masterpieces you are reading about * Features a special ‘Complete Compositions’ section, with an index of Beethoven’s complete works and links to popular streaming services * Includes Beethoven’s letters (translated by Lady Wallace) - spend hours exploring the composer’s personal correspondence * Also features four biographies, including Thayer’s seminal study - explore Beethoven's intriguing musical and personal life Please visit www.delphiclassics.com to browse through our range of exciting eBooks CONTENTS: The Masterworks Cantata on the Death of Emperor Joseph II Piano Concerto No. 2 Piano Sonata No. 8, Pathétique Symphony No. 1 Piano Sonata No. 14, Moonlight Sonata Violin Sonata No. 9, Kreutzer Sonata Symphony No. 3, Eroica Fidelio Violin Concerto in D major Symphony No. 5 Symphony No. 6, Pastoral Egmont Bagatelle No. 25, Für Elise Piano Concerto No. 5, Emperor Concerto Piano Trio No. 7, Archduke Symphony No. 7 Missa solemnis Symphony No. 9 String Quartet No. 14 Complete Compositions Index of Beethoven’s Compositions The Letters Beethoven’s Letters (1790-1826) The Biographies Life of Beethoven by Anton Schindler The Life of Ludwig van Beethoven by Alexander Wheelock Thayer Beethoven: A Memoir by Elliott Graeme Brief Biography: Ludwig van Beethoven by Donald Francis Tovey Please visit www.delphiclassics.com to learn more about our wide range of exciting titles

I have often heard people express their wish that someone who has died would return to us and relate what the life-death-rebirth experience is really like. Well, someone has! This is exactly what Beethoven does in my third novel, Beethoven, Then and Now. Like Beethoven, each one of us is the proud possessor of a "human soul." This clearly defined object is none other than our very own spiritual subelectron. Our physical hulk is only a pile of ashes; but our "soul" (spiritual subelectron) is unique, eternal, indestructible. Because of its high vibrations, Beethoven's "soul" is immediately attracted to the third subelectronic ring of our First-Second-Order universe. Here it awaits rebirth via fusion with the spiritual subelectron of a Major-Order being within our Second-Order-Major universe. Paul Rezler (age seventeen) is the fortunate recipient of this unbelievable prize. He had awakened to the day at hand with his usual zero interest in music. Now (1827 Earth-time) he is the greatest Earth- musician yet to live. Try as Beethoven does, he cannot adjust to the Second-Order reality of corporate composers, not even to being the absolute leader of the Beethoven Corporation. He must be entirely on his own-- a single man vs. the world! Counselor Robinson does his best in selecting a Subsidiary culture which contains a "Vienna" as close as possible to the one which Beethoven had left behind upon his Earthly death. Within a month, our hero makes his translation and enjoys living where there's not the trace of anything resembling a "musical corporation." Sketches for new "third-period" works begin to flow: a piano sonata, a string quartet, a piano trio, a violin concerto, even some encouraging vibrations of Symphony 10. A handful of piano and violin students emerges, including an exceptional young lady named Anna Rosecranz, who is already a master of these instruments. Her musicianship is so strong that they soon fall in love and are married. How they enjoy performing concerts together! In time, as Beethoven works at his composer's desk, she starts peering over his shoulder. She begs him for lessons in composition. He replies, "I compose, and AM NOT a teacher of composition!" This declaration does not frighten her away. As Beethoven fumbles and bumbles his way from sketchbook to finished score, Anna carefully watches each step of the process. Her comments are invaluable: Use a pedal-point here. Not so dissonant a chord.. Pure melody would fit here. Please, not so sustained. Too many notes in the melody. Avoid more of this rhythm. Two-voice counterpoint would do. Too much for the brass here. This use of strings is perfect. Thanks to Anna, Beethoven accomplishes the impossible. He realizes that he works far better with her help than without it. He now loves to share the very process which only yesterday had demanded his total aloofness. As if by magic, he is now prepared to return to Major-Order life as managing partner in charge of the Beethoven Corporation. But considering all that Anna has done for him, he cannot now simply go his own way. As a Subsidiary being, her lifespan is a mere 100 years, compared to his Second-Order-Major span of 1000 years. Being happily married, he plans to share life for the balance of her days. But Fate has his own plan for their lives--. After all their years of loving and sharing, Anna is "killed" in an automobile accident. When Beethoven returns to the Major Order, a super surprise awaits him. There stands Anna Rosecranz, a full Major-Second-Order being, with whom he can share the rest of their 1000 years in joyful creative activity. His first question: "On Earth, who were you, my dear?" Her reply causes our hero to faint for the second time in his entire Second-Order life!