Beethoven and the Heroic Symphony: Milestone 2 Author: [UK] James Hamilton-Patterson Publisher: Beijing Yanshan Publishing House

Introduction · · · · · ·
"In April 1805, Beethoven himself conducted the first performance of the Eroica Symphony in Vienna, which shocked the classical music world. This revolutionary work was different from any previous work. With clear reason and explosive emotions, it played a hymn to heroism and human brotherhood, and opened the Romantic era in the history of classical music.

In this book, British biographer James Hamilton-Patterson will reconstruct this great moment in the history of Western culture for us, starting from the rough life of a talented musician, combining the historical background before and after the creation of the work, looking back on the original intention, process and influence of the creation of this great work, and answering the question that countless people have asked countless times - what is its relationship with Napoleon?

Editor's Recommendation:

★ Get closer to the difficult life of a talented musician and understand his excellence, pain and struggle.

Beethoven's father was an alcoholic, his mother was seriously ill, and he was deaf at the peak of his career. However, his endless imagination, unique humor and intense emotions made him one of the best composers. The author has a calm writing style and a compassionate perspective, leading us to get close to Beethoven and experience his heartbreaking life that faced fate directly.

★ In-depth analysis of the "Heroic Symphony" to understand the art of music appreciation.

How does the uncontrolled C sharp in the first movement give the audience an "unfinished" effect? ​​How does the majestic ending of bar 140 become a magical moment? How do the moving chords in the scherzo convey a sense of infinity or eternity? Follow the author's interpretation and appreciate how Beethoven abandoned traditional conventions and eclipsed everything that came before him.

★ Go back to the end of the 18th century and live in the same era as Beethoven.

Musicians such as Haydn, Neefe, and Mozart all appear on stage, and combined with background events such as the storming of the Bastille and Napoleon's declaration of emperorship, readers can personally feel the atmosphere of the times in Vienna and appreciate the influence of the French Revolution and the Enlightenment on Beethoven's creation.

★ 36 precious full-color illustrations, rich and delicate, as if they are right in front of you.

The manuscript of "Heroic Variations", the first page of Heiligenstadt's suicide note, portraits of aristocratic sponsors, watercolor paintings of Beethoven's huge funeral procession... These photos are both historical evidence and a window for readers to understand Beethoven.