Beethoven - His Spiritual Development - Softcover

Sullivan, J. W. N.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 140675420X ISBN 13: 9781406754209

Publisher: Read & Co. Books, 2007

Synopsis

‘Beethoven – His Spiritual Development’ was written by J.W.N. Sullivan, first published in 1927. John William Navin Sullivan (1886-1937) was a popular writer on science and literature, but his study of Beethoven was his most celebrated work. A modern day polymath, Sullivan also wrote one of the earliest accounts of Einstein’s ‘General Theory of Relativity’ and circulated amongst the literary elite of London, including Aldous Huxley, Wyndham Lewis and T.S. Eliot. This text contains an author biography, briefly detailing Sullivan’s life, as well as thematic chapters split into two parts. Book one deals with themes such as ‘art and reality’, ‘music as isolated’ and ‘music as expression.’ Book two deals with more specific issues, such as ‘Beethoven’s characteristics’ his ‘Hammerclavier Sonata’, ‘relationship with God’ and the ‘Last Quartets.’ This book is essential reading for anyone interested in musical theory and history – an insightful and engaging read.

About this title

Review:

From the Author's Preface:
"I believe that in his greatest music Beethoven was primarily concerned to express his personal vision of life. This vision was, of course, the product of his character and his experience. Beethoven the man and Beethoven the composer are not two unconnected entities, and the known history of the man may be used to throw light upon the character of his music."
Clifton Fadiman has said of this classic study:
"It is the most interesting book on music that I have ever read and it is not written for musical experts; rather for people like myself who like to listen to music but can boast no special knowledge of it. It deals not only with music, on which I do not speak with authority, but with human life in general, about which you and I speak with authority every day of our lives."

From the Author's Preface:

"I believe that in his greatest music Beethoven was primarily concerned to express his personal vision of life. This vision was, of course, the product of his character and his experience. Beethoven the man and Beethoven the composer are not two unconnected entities, and the known history of the man may be used to throw light upon the character of his music."

Clifton Fadiman has said of this classic study:

"It is the most interesting book on music that I have ever read and it is not written for musical experts; rather for people like myself who like to listen to music but can boast no special knowledge of it. It deals not only with music, on which I do not speak with authority, but with human life in general, about which you and I speak with authority every day of our lives."

About this edition

• Publisher: Read & Co. Books
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 140675420X
• ISBN 13: 9781406754209
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 174