Open Daily: 10am - 10pm | Alley door pickup 10am - 7pm 3038 Hennepin Ave Minneapolis, MN
612-822-4611

  • Open Daily: 10am - 10pm
    Alley-side Pickup: 10am - 7pm

    3038 Hennepin Ave Minneapolis, MN
    612-822-4611

Open Daily: 10am - 10pm | Alley-side Pickup: 10am - 7pm
3038 Hennepin Ave Minneapolis, MN
612-822-4611
The Character of a Genius: Beethoven in Perspective

The Character of a Genius: Beethoven in Perspective

Davies, Peter J.

Hardcover

Series: Contributions to the Study of Music and Dance, Book 60

Biographies GeneralHealth GeneralClassical Music

ISBN10: 0313319138
ISBN13: 9780313319136
Publisher: Praeger
Published: Oct 30 2001
Pages: 376
Weight: 1.48
Height: 1.09 Width: 6.42 Depth: 9.56
Language: English

Beethoven's often-discussed dark side--marked by paranoia, narcissism, and obsession--is brought into focus by Peter J. Davies, who examines both the composer's genetic roots and the familial cruelty and neglect that defined his childhood. But this book is more than a biography, eschewing facile psychoanalysis in favor of a real exploration of how Beethoven's character shaped the work now universally regarded as among the best music ever written. Davies acutely observes the ways in which suffering can bring, at the same time, both madness and genius.

The author begins by tracing the medical history of mental disorders in Beethoven's family, and then goes on to detail the composer's religious beliefs and attitudes, his daily work habits and pastimes, and elements of his character including manic depression. Though the work does not purport to be a musical analysis, it does consider the many ways in which the things that shape an artist go on to shape his art.

1 different editions

Also available

Also in

Biographies General

View All