First published 2005
Edmund Morris turns his biographical lens on Ludwig van Beethoven, the German composer whose music transformed classical tradition. Morris, who won the Pulitzer Prize for his Theodore Roosevelt biography, brings his distinctive prose style to bear on one of Western culture's towering figures. The author explores how genius operates in practice, tracking Beethoven's creative process and the forces that shaped his revolutionary compositions. Morris examines the composer's struggles with deafness, his turbulent relationships, and his relentless drive to push musical boundaries. The biography forms part of HarperCollins' "Eminent Lives" series, which pairs accomplished writers with canonical historical figures. Morris offers readers an intimate portrait of artistic genius at work, revealing how Beethoven's personal battles fueled his greatest musical achievements.
Genres: biography, history, 20th-century, music, 19th-century, classical-music
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: artistic-genius, creative-process
Setting: Germany
Period: 19th Century, 20th Century
256 pages · Hardcover · Harper Collins