Great Masters: Beethoven - His Life and Music

By: Robert Greenberg, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Robert Greenberg

Length: 6 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's summary

Have you ever wondered how the lives of great composers - especially when set against the social, political, and cultural context of their world - influenced their music?

After listening to this perceptive series of eight lectures on the life and music of Ludwig van Beethoven, you will likely find that you hear his work in an entirely different way, with your insight informed by new knowledge of how Beethoven was able to create masterpieces from the crises of his life.

You'll learn about the years of progressive hearing loss - ultimately to produce total deafness - and the understandable agony and rage such a fate would bring upon a composer. About his deep depression over the end of his relationship with the woman he calls his Immortal Beloved. About his pathological hatred of authority, his persecution complex, even delusional behaviors.

But you'll also learn how each of these crises, and many others, served to drive Beethoven inward, to reinvent himself and redeem his suffering through art, creating disruptive works of profound passion and beauty that reinvented the nature of musical expression in the Western world.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2001 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2001 The Great Courses

Outstanding Lectures!

This is so good! The lectures are clear, easy to follow and very entertaining. The passion the lecturer has for Beethoven is undeniable! This is a must for anyone who is interested in learning about the life and music of Beethoven!

The strangest rabbit hole yet!

What did you love best about Great Masters: Beethoven - His Life and Music?

I have been journeying with Dr. G for several months now. Whenever I feel at a loss, I grab a supplemental lecture and jump down the rabbit hole. So I have learned about the lives of Bach and Mozart, and about the concerto and look forward to learning about the symphony—while using “How to Listen to and Understand Great Music” as my foundation. I just got back from the life of Beethoven—amazing music, amazing but wild gent—not at all what I expected--his life was more difficult, more sad. But I am stunned by how he changed the course of music despite the struggles of his own life. I will listen to his music with a different ear.

Excellent Biography!

This Great Master: Beethoven-- His Life and Music is a great find. The biography is non linear, told by a prizewinner professor, Robert Greenberg. The professor is a great enthusiast of Beethoven, and that shows in his lectures. He accompanies the biography with Beethoven music, and points out why that sonata is good, or not so good, and what was happening to him in that time. Great listening!

Could not stop listening.

Normally, a Great Courses audible course is a treat I indulge in when I am on the treadmill. Today I was on the treadmill and started this course. Although I've been listening to or watching Great Courses for years - many dozens of them - It is the first Great Masters course I've tried. I became so thoroughly engaged that I couldn't stop listening. For the rest of my day off, while I went to the market, folded laundry, finished Christmas gift wrapping and did some holiday baking I listened. While I made our dinner I listened. When I normally would sit down in the afternoon and read for a couple of hours, I listened instead. I finished it in one day.

This is a fascinating. engaging, amazing story. I have always rather like Beethoven's music, but I had no idea about his life. What an amazing character! And Professor Greenburg really brought him to life and brought him into MY life. He made the man seem as real to me as John Lennon or Annie Lennox.

The Professor is passionate about music and I learned a fair amount about how Beethoven impacted the history of western music. I will seek out some of Beethoven's work and listen with more interest and appreciation thanks to this course.

Highly recommend.

The joy of learning

What made the experience of listening to Great Masters: Beethoven - His Life and Music the most enjoyable?

Prof Greenberg's enthusiasm, passion and love of music is contagious. I used to think music history was dry as dust and boring. My prayer for future generations is that education departments would realise that this is the only way to learn anything. If you can't find a teacher that is enthusiastic and "begeistert" by his/her subject, then rather let the children listen to a recording of someone like Prof Greenberg.

Have you listened to any of Professor Robert Greenberg’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Music as a Mirror of History; How to listen to and understand great music 3rd edition; The thirty greatest orchestral works. They are all excellent

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Prof Greenberg's wry humour often makes me laugh out loud. There are moments when I am moved to tears.

Any additional comments?

Prof Greenberg seems to be one of a kind, but it would be great to have more of the same. He brings all these historical characters to life. It is as if he is talking about people you could run into any day on a New York Street.

Another Excellent Book about Beethoven

This is the second audio book about Beethoven that I've listened to by Dr. Robert Greenberg. I'm really enjoying the series. I'm about ready to start "The Symphonies of Beethoven". Dr. Greenberg's narration is SO enjoyable - I really look forward to listening to the next chapter, every day. Lot's of interesting twists and turns about Beethoven's life and the impact that his grandfather and father had on his life.

my mus hist. classes in college were not like this

very interesting and illuminating. easy to stay focused. Ludwig was a sick man and was able to compose music that changed history.

Fun & Energetic

Absolutely loved this course!! Left me inspired and wanting more, more, more! Gave me appreciation and insight to both the music and the man.

Loved it!

As usual Robert Greenberg does a magnificent job of presenting the topic. I really learned a lot about Beethoven and was very entertained!

Phenomenal explanation of Beethoven’s life and works

Great music highlighted. Invites one to hear the quartets and listen to more biographies of composers