Great Masters: Beethoven - His Life and Music

By: Robert Greenberg, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Robert Greenberg

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

Wonderfully informative

The lecturer is lively and engaging. The subject is fascinating. The music is sublime. Highly recommended. I'm eager to return to Beethoven's music with fresh ears and deeper perception.

Great Discussion of Beethoven

Any additional comments?

This was my first experience with the Great Masters series. I went out and purchased 2 pieces of Beethovan's music that I did not have. I fully plan on listening to other Great Masters Series, for my favorite composers.

Amazing work.

Greenberg's analysis and comments are inspired, consice and an absolute joy to listen to.

Very informative

Liked everything leaves you with a desire to learn more. My into to classical music

Excellent lecture on the life and music of Beethoven.

As a professional violist, I have enjoyed these lectures so much. I wish that my music history classes in grad school were this enjoyable. I recommend these to any music lover!