The Character of a Genius - Beethoven in Perspective

Beethoven's often-discussed dark side--marked by paranoia, narcissism, and obsession--is brought into focus by Peter J. Davies, who examines both the composer's genetic roots and the familial cruelty and neglect that defined his childhood. But this book is more than a biography, eschewing facile psychoanalysis in favor of a real exploration of how Beethoven's character shaped the work now universally regarded as among the best music ever written. Davies acutely observes the ways in which suffering can bring, at the same time, both madness and genius.

The author begins by tracing the medical history of mental disorders in Beethoven's family, and then goes on to detail the composer's religious beliefs and attitudes, his daily work habits and pastimes, and elements of his character including manic depression. Though the work does not purport to be a musical analysis, it does consider the many ways in which the things that shape an artist go on to shape his art.

List of contents

Introduction
Chronological Calendar
Childhood and Adolescence
Religious Beliefs and Attitudes
Beethoven's Religious Music
Work Habits and Pastimes
Beethoven's Personality I: Paranoid Character
Beethoven's Personality II: Other Traits Stresses Humour and the Eternal Feminine
Beethoven's Personality III: Manic-Depressive Tendencies: The Suffering Depressive Composer
Beethoven's Personality IV: Manic-Depressive Tendencies, Upswings of Mood, Sanity, Genetics, Creativity
Bibliography
Index of Beethoven's Works in This Volume
General Index

About the author

PETER J. DAVIES is a Consultant Physician in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology in private practice, in Melbourne, Australia. He is the author of many scholarly papers and articles published in the Journal of Royal Society Medicine, The Musical Times, and Speculum, Gut, Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, and The Medical Journal of Australia.

Product details

• Authors: Peter J. Davies, Davies Peter J.
• Publisher: Bloomsbury
• Languages: English
• Age Recommendation: ages 7 to 17
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 30.10.2001
• EAN: 9780313319136
• ISBN: 978-0-313-31913-6
• No. of pages: 376
• Weight: 652 g
• Series: Contributions to the Study of Music and Dance
• Subjects: Fiction > Narrative literature > Letters, diaries; Individual composers & musicians, specific bands & groups, MUSIC / Individual Composer & Musician, MUSIC / Genres & Styles / Classical, Biography: arts & entertainment, BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Music, Composers and songwriters, Biography: arts and entertainment, Classical Music (C 1750 To C 1830), Classical style, Art music, orchestral and formal music, Popular Culture: Music and Performing Arts