The New Grove Beethoven (The New Grove)

I used this book during an upper division class on Beethoven at UCLA, and I loved it. Why? Because I knew nothing about music, but I loved Beethoven's music. What is refreshing about this book is that it will provide a background on the life of Beethoven that is wholly understandable even if you don't have a music background.

This book is a little over 150 pages of text. The remainder is notes etc. It reads very quick. The book is largely broken up into chronoligical sections and ends with a quick breakdown of Beethoven's music and his impact on music.

The New Grove Beethoven does a great job of delving into Beethoven's frustration with the onset of deafness and how he felt estranged from society as a result. It also treats Beethoven's deep desire to be respected as this desire continually butted up against his dislike for preferential treatment to nobility as "superiors." In short, he wanted to be like them, loved like them but his attitude estranged him from them.

If you are looking for a quick primer on Beethoven that is readable and quite enjoyable, pick up the New Grove Beethoven!


Most Historically Accurate Info   April 29, 2000
15 out of 19 found this review helpful

This book is being used in my music class at Dartmouth College that's focusing on Beethoven. It contains very accurate information about the Maestro himself and does not add to the myths about the composer as other books do. It's very easy to read and there's a lot of satisfaction and knowledge that a Beethoven admirer can gain from this magnificent biography.