Need Beetoven Information.

[KyleE]

I am attending a piano camp this summer for 1 week and in the historical class we are discussing Beetoven as the main composer.  I need ALL of the information possible on him.  I want to stand out in the class as knowing the most about him.  Thanks a lot.

Kyle

[jdskee]

I am attending a piano camp this summer for 1 week and in the historical class we are discussing Beetoven as the main composer.  I need ALL of the information possible on him.  I want to stand out in the class as knowing the most about him.  Thanks a lot.

Kyle

Beethoven by Maynard Solomon.

[MzrtMusic]

Beethoven by Maynard Solomon isn't the first book I would start with. It's well written, but it's more of a psychological look at Beethoven than it is a Biographical look. It also uses Freudian psychology, which doesn't always fit in with the 19th century. There is a decent movie, "Beethoven lives Upstairs." It was made for children, and it's not 100% accurate, but it's a good place to start. Have you tried going to your local library, and reading the books they have? If they have a copy of Grove's Dictionary of Music, that's always a good place to start!

I wish you lots of luck!

Love,

Sarah

[amee]

What about Beethoven: His Spiritual Development by J Sullivan?

I've never read this book myself, but a friend has recommended it to me and he said it was very helpful.

[SteveK]

I am attending a piano camp this summer for 1 week and in the historical class we are discussing Beetoven as the main composer.  I need ALL of the information possible on him.  I want to stand out in the class as knowing the most about him.  Thanks a lot.

Kyle

I found the bicentennial edition 1770-1970 of Ludwig van Beethoven edited by Joseph Schmidt-Görg & Hans Schmidt in a used bookstore. It has ten authors and is a big book full of colored pictures of his friends, family, life, manuscripts, etc. If you can get your hands on this bicentennial edition, IT'S THE BEST I'VE SEEN. Check in your library!

Take care,
Stephen.

[PoSeiDoN]

Kyle, just out of curiosity, which piano camp are you going to?  

[rachfan]

"Beethoven, Impressions by his Contemporaries" by Sonneck offers many interesting insights on the composer's daily life as observed by those around him.  Not too long, and an interesting read.