This superb documentary features an unpretentious, well-written, intelligent narrative; excerpts from the composer's own correspondence and other contemporary documents; and liberal, lengthy quotations of Beethoven's music. Most popular accounts, fiction and nonfiction, of Beethoven's life either sentimentalize or demonize the man and milk all the pity they can from the tragedy of his deafness. Here, however, we receive the most balanced and humane account of his personality that this reviewer has encountered outside scholarly circles. The author, a noted British musicologist, delivers his own copy with informality and warmth, and five worthy actors handle the excerpts. Best of all, Naxos has chosen music recordings that highlight the tempestuous romanticism that most notably informed Beethoven's groundbreaking works and personal gestalt. Y.R. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award (c) AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine

 

“This little package intersperses Beethoven’s own writings and writings of his contemporaries with excerpts from his music. The engrossing personal vignettes provide a good flavor of what the great composer’s life might have been like. Siepmann reads the quotes, along with five other narrators, both male and female, in dramatic, theatrical tones. This excellent narration, along with the well-chosen material, gives a good picture of Beethoven’s enormous energy and vision, and how this was translated into his music. At the same time, there are generous excerpts from the wonderful music itself.”

 

“With spoken-word and musical examples, this five-hour set provides a compelling introduction to the music and personality of Ludwig van Beethoven, the most famous classical composer. Siepmann reads his own narration outlining Beethoven's life and work. Into that he weaves extensive excerpts from contemporary reviews, commentary, and Beethoven's own letters and journals, using five readers experienced on the English stage (the late Bob Peck, Neville Jason, David Timson, Elaine Claxton, and Karen Archer). This introduction to one of the most fascinating personalities of European history, a man who transcended the mere profession of composer and became a political symbol, is most positive.”

 

“This superb documentary features an unpretentious, well-written, intelligent narrative; excerpts from the composer’s own correspondence and other contemporary documents; and liberal, lengthy quotations of Beethoven’s music. The author, a noted British musicologist, delivers his own copy with informality and warmth, and five worthy actors handle the excerpts. Best of all, Naxos has chosen music recordings that highlight the tempestuous romanticism that most notably informed Beethoven’s groundbreaking works and personal Gestalt.”

 

The Life and Works of Beethoven by Jeremy Siepmann
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