Product Description

PASSION AND PAIN, the second volume of John Suchet's compelling trilogy about the life of Ludwig van Beethoven, depicts the composer at the height of his powers, famous throughout Europe, championed by wealthy patrons, sought out by other musicians, yet all the time beset by the great tragedy of his life - his deafness - and struggling to come to terms with it. The reader is there as Beethoven compares the towering works of the so-called 'heroic period', the 'Eroica' Symphony, the Fifth, the 'Pastoral' Symphony, the 'Emperor' Concerto, the 'Appassionata' Sonata, the 'Kreutzer' Sonata. We share his triumphs and frustrations; we are with him as he receives the adulation of the audience and also as he struggles alone in the middle of the night to hear the great music he is creating. We learn of the one great love of his life, the woman he refers to as his 'Eternally Beloved' - a love that both parties know is doomed. Written as a novel, though at all times strictly in accordance with the known facts, John Suchet has produced a monumental narrative, probably the most comprehensive - and certainly the most readable - account of Beethoven's life ever written.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #171590 in Books
• Published on: 1998-12-03
• Original language: English
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• 468 pages

Review
'An admirable picture of a creative life' - SUNDAY TELEGRAPH 'A novel of great seriousness and integrity' - MAIL ON SUNDAY 'A very good story indeed' - DAILY TELEGRAPH

MAIL ON SUNDAY
* "A novel of great seriousness and integrity"

DAILY TELEGRAPH
* "A very good story indeed"

Customer Reviews

A brilliant achievement
To write a biography without having met the person is difficult enough. To write about a genius is that much harder. First what this book will not do for you. It will not draw you in by flowery writing. It will not make you cry with laughter due to the cleverness or wit of the author. And that is just about it. Now what it will do for you. It will thrill you to live within the mind of a genius. It will teach you more about his music then any other paper - speech - university course. I started this book (or three as they were then) and finished them in a week. The next time you go see the 9th you will either cry or rise shouting Beethoven's name. You will - you will - be a richer person for having read this book. My hearty congratulations to John Suchet and my eternal gratitude.

Thoroughly entertaining - good read
John Suchet has captured the essence of the character of Beethoven in this book. It is not meant as a biography but rather as a novel describing the kind of life Beethoven probably led. I found it superbly written and a great read from start to finish, The only drawback is that this book is the first of 3 with a seemingly endless period between publication of the next parts.

Brilliant!!
Having read the reviews by other readers about this trilogy I bought the first one, which I couldn't put down, and am nearly at the end of this, the 2nd one.. which I also can't put down!!
I've just ordered the 3rd one!!

They are a thoroughly gripping read, even if you're not particularly interested in Beethoven, but even more so if you are!!