Experiencing Beethoven

Experiencing Beethoven paints a portrait of the composer's youth in Bonn, his early triumphs and artistic maturation in Vienna, and - despite the challenges his music posed to his contemporaries - the recognition he received during his lifetime as the most acclaimed composer of the era. Block conveys the range and scope of Beethoven's achievements, from his heroic style to his lyricism, grappling throughout with the composer's power to communicate his idealistic musical vision to listeners in both his time and ours. It explores why Beethoven's music continues to enjoy an unwavering appeal in an age saturated with a range of musical styles. Hardcover book, 290 p.