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Beethoven's Fifth and the Human Imagination
Knopf
November 2012
On Sale: November 13, 2012
368 pages
ISBN: 0307593282
EAN: 9780307593283
Kindle: B0084TWNUY
Hardcover / e-Book
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Non-Fiction Biography
A unique and revelatory book of music history that
examines in great depth what is perhaps the best-known and
most-popular symphony ever written and its four-note
opening, which has fascinated musicians, historians, and
philosophers for the last two hundred years. Music critic Matthew Guerrieri reaches back before
Beethoven’s time to examine what might have influenced him
in writing his Fifth Symphony, and forward into our own time
to describe the ways in which the Fifth has, in turn,
asserted its influence. He uncovers possible sources for the
famous opening notes in the rhythms of ancient Greek poetry
and certain French Revolutionary songs and symphonies.
Guerrieri confirms that, contrary to popular belief,
Beethoven was not deaf when he wrote the Fifth. He traces
the Fifth’s influence in China, Russia, and the United
States (Emerson and Thoreau were passionate fans) and shows
how the masterpiece was used by both the Allies and the
Nazis in World War II. Altogether, a fascinating piece of
musical detective work—a treat for music lovers of every stripe.
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