In Search of Beethoven: A Personal Journey

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From the bestselling author of Beethoven: The Man Revealed, In Search of Beethoven is John Suchets latest and most personal book dedicated to the life of this extraordinary composer. Part biography, part memoir, part travelogue, Suchet draws on his own life and career as a foreign correspondent and news anchor to show how Beethovens music has accompanied him through the best and worst of times. It was with him as a music-loving and adventurous teenager, as a journalist entering Beirut in the grip of civil war, and as he has continued to explore the old cities of Bonn and Vienna, in search of the man behind the music.
In this novel and compelling book, we see Beethoven brought vividly and sometimes painfully to life. Suchet traces Beethovens footsteps from his early years in Bonn to his dying days in Vienna, taking us on a journey both literal and symbolic, as he uses his own experience as a Beethoven aficionado to demonstrate the life-changing power of great music.

Reviews

As always, John Suchet's diligent and persuasive detective work throws new and fascinating light on seminal moments and aspects of Beethoven's life. Examples of how the composer's music sustained John himself, throughout his own life and career, add a warmth and sincerity to all he puts before us, and makes for an excellent and eye-opening read. Howard Shelley OBE, pianist and composer

This deeply moving journey with Beethoven offers unique and personal insights into this great composer, a profound presence who has accompanied John Suchet through much of his life John Gilhooly CBE, Artistic Director Wigmore Hall, London

John Suchets book on Beethoven is one of the most readable and informative about the composer you can find. Domingo Hindoyan, Chief Conductor, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

This book will inspire many to want to follow the Beethoven travelogue footsteps in the future. A gift for any Beethoven fan! Sandra Parr, Artistic Planning Director, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic

John Suchets unusual combination of biography and autobiography is full of fascinating details about Beethovens life, conveyed with enthusiasm and imagination, but cleverly dovetailed with personal reminiscences. He has tracked down numerous locations associated with Beethoven and shows how they have changed during the last 200 years. Throughout the book, Beethovens music hovers in the background, sometimes breaking through to reveal its tremendous power to transform lives. Professor Barry Cooper, University of Manchester, author of Beethoven: An Extraordinary Life

As curious as he is thorough, as knowledgeable as he is enthusiastic, as open hearted as he is open minded, John Suchet shares his life long passion for Beethoven and takes us on a journey of discovery through the highways and byways, the highs and lows, the dramas and rows of musics greatest genius. This is John Suchets personal journey. Sir John Tusa, Managing Director, Barbican Centre, London

In Search of Beethoven is a massive achievement and a book I would urge any music lover to read. Sir Karl Jenkins, composer

You can't help but be swept away by John's infectious enthusiasm, as well as being mightily impressed by his almost unquenchable thirst for knowledge about his musical hero. This is a comprehensive yet accessible history of Beethoven wrapped up in an inviting, immersive tale of adventure and discovery, delivered in an inviting, engaging and endearing way typical of this master storyteller. Debbie Wiseman OBE, composer and conductor

This is a wonderful tale of self-realisation, of whatwe can gain from turning to genius inlife's many crises. Norman Lebrecht, author of Why Beethoven

'This book has had a profound effect on me. Suchet has brought Beethoven to life. Carol Barratt, Hon RCM GRSM ARCM, pianist and composer

This is an indispensable book for every Beethoven enthusiast as well as for every performing musician. Dr Marios Papadopoulos, MBE, conductor and pianist

From palaces to warzones, John Suchet goes on a Beethoven odyssey In Search of Beethoven records the journalists charmingly nerdy attempt to visit every bakery and theatre associated with the composer He has a brilliant ability to sweet-talk his way into places associated with Beethoven that are closed to the public, such as theLobkowicz Palace in Prague, where hes invited to dinner with a prince The Daily Telegraph

This personal account of his life-long passion has an appealing light touch. Suchet follows in the composers footsteps as he visits archives, churches and city apartments on a mission of discovery that at times tells us as much about the author as his subject Richard Fairman, Financial Times Best Books of the Year

Suchet's enthusiasm is infectious, and readers will likely feel compelled to follow in his footsteps, both literally through the streets of Vienna and figuratively through Beethoven's remarkable musical landscape. Yorkshire Times

Author Bio

John Suchet OBE is a bestselling author, journalist, radio and TV presenter. He was the voice of morning radio on Classic FM for almost a decade and before that, he was one of the UK's best-known television journalists and newscasters, regularly presenting ITN's flagship News at Ten for nearly 20 years. A recognised authority on Beethoven, he is the author of the Sunday Times bestselling Beethoven: The Man Revealed (2020), as well as biographies of Mozart, Strauss, Verdi and Tchaikovsky.