Beethoven
Anguish and Triumph
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Beethoven
Acheter pour 60,19 $
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Narrateur(s):
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Michael Prichard
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Auteur(s):
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Jan Swafford
À propos de cet audio
Jan Swafford's biographies have established him as a revered music historian, capable of bringing his subjects vibrantly to life. His magnificent new biography of Ludwig van Beethoven peels away layers of legend to get to the living, breathing human being who composed some of the world's most iconic music.
Swafford mines sources never before used in English-language biographies to reanimate the revolutionary ferment of Enlightenment-era Bonn, where Beethoven grew up and imbibed the ideas that would shape all of his future work. Swafford then tracks his subject to Vienna, capital of European music, where Beethoven built his career in the face of critical incomprehension, crippling ill health, romantic rejection, and "fate's hammer," his ever-encroaching deafness.
©2014 Jan Swafford (P)2015 TantorCe que les critiques en disent
The only downside to this recording is the narration. Odd pronunciations, and because there is no knowledge of musical terminology, a sometimes distracting performance. A shame, considering the quality of the writing. Non musicians will not notice, but musicians definitely will.
Overall a wonderful book, showcasing Jan’s ability to blend history and music analysis very well.
The best modern musical biographer out there.
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I found myself at times loving Beethoven, at other times despising him. Swafford treats his story with dignity and sincerity, Swafford takes time to explore the construction of the symphonies (he is a composer himself).He carefully describes the times in which the compositions are embedded, their reception, and historical significance. The analysis of the symphonies seems somewhat clinical at times, but even if you don't know the lexicon of musical composition it's informative. Beethoven's story is based on facts, with very limited speculation and ornamentation on the part of the author. A bit of dry humor is sprinkled throughout, usually of the follies of Beethoven -- the times he accidentally slapped the page-turning choir boy at a performance, or getting lost in the countryside then arrested being mistaken for a vagabond comes to mind.
Michael Pritchard (narrator) does a commendable job with this lengthy book, but there are a few instances where his cadence or energy levels seem a bit different page to page. Like he'll seem tired in on paragraph, then suddenly wide awake the next. Probably two different recording days.. His vocal acting when reciting parts of Beethoven's letters are tasteful, but verge near melodramatic at times (the source material was, also).
With about seven hours left in my reading of it, I find myself not wanting it to end. Learning about Beethoven's story was a moving experience and highly recommended for anyone interested in creativity, music, art, or the late 18th / early 19th century.
Transported back to another time.
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