Reviews

Beethoven, a Life by Jan Caeyers

musicdeepdive's review

4.75

Excellent, excellent biography, written beautifully (and translated wonderfully also) while segmenting the content in logical ways that help the reader follow Beethoven's life smoothly. I'm impressed at how the author, despite his musical background, doesn't allow himself to get too lost in analyzing the individual pieces: they're acknowledged, their significance appreciated, and it always fits the story's flow perfectly neatly. Right now, certainly my recommendation as far as Beethoven biographies are concerned.

danielvanbeethoven's review against another edition

informative inspiring

4.5

wallacecommaisa's review

informative slow-paced

3.5

its fine. well written. super long and slow. 

lotustoo's review

informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

My first five star read of 2021, this life of Beethoven is written by composer and Musicologist Jan Caeyers and translated into English by Brent Annable.  If a biography of the greatest composer that ever lived can be described as unputdownable - and given that the book comes in at nearly 600 pages (without notes) - then this is it.  Here was a man who changed the course of music and in so doing changed history.   He certainly didn't have an easy time of it.