Late Beethoven: Music, Thought, Imagination

by Maynard Solomon

Book Overview

In a series of powerful strokes, the music of Beethoven's last years redefined his legacy and enlarged the realm of experience accessible to the creative imagination. Maynard Solomon's Late Beethoven investigates the phenomenon of the final phase, focusing especially on the striking metamorphosis in Beethoven's system of beliefs that began early in his fifth decade and eventually amounted to a sweeping realignment of his views of nature, antiquity,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0520243390
• ISBN13: 9780520243392
• Release Date: October 2004
• Publisher: University of California Press
• Length: 327 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.3" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

A Good Read...

Sounds banal but this is really a good read on late Beethoven. Soloman's done his homework and he writes a nice, clear, subtly postmodern criticism. Especially fine is his discussion of Romanticism.

good book in general

I got this book and read through some chapters, and thought that the book gives some good or objective views on late Beethoven. But for some reason, I don't quite agree with some parts of book when author quoted references and associated Beethoven with some sort of religion or political believes. Although I do know there're some transcendental spirits, sublimity and profundity in Beethoven's late music, in his sonatas, string quartets, Diabelli variation among others, he is not religious even till the end but perhaps the greatest music genius and artist. Author also explored Romanism in late Beethoven, which I took less pleasure in reading. I found it less interesting with some of his writing style, when he quoted poems or others words and let reader go with him on some sort of purposeless or boring ride. But overall it is good book on late Beethoven, especially the chapter on Diabelli variations.

An essential book for the serious musician

Maynard Solomon is probably the most important Beethoven biographer of modern times. His book is essential research for serious musicians and composers who wish to gain insight into late Beethoven. Solomon's writing is dense; every word and paragraph count. Many, many musical examples, so the ability to read music (and knowledge of music theory) is a must. This is not a casual book, but if you are up for it, it is among the most rewarding Beethoven studies around. Richard Russell [...]