Alexander Wheelock Thayer

Beethoven Association (New York, N.Y.)

The Life of Ludwig Van Beethoven

Hugo Riemann

Hermann Deiters

The 1921 three-volume English edition of a landmark biography of one of the world's greatest composers.

The Life of Ludwig Van Beethoven: Volume 3

Although some portions of Thayer's original text have been deleted because recent Beethoven research has proved them inaccurate, "the majority of the text used consists of the coordinated treatment of Thayer's notes and manuscript by these three editors [H. Deiters, H. Riemann, and H. Krehbiel]" with additions and corrections by the present editor.

Thayer's Life of Beethoven

In 1863-64, the author penned what remains today the most extensive biography of Antonio Salieri in the English language. In a lively style, abounding with wit and commentary on current events, the author presents a thorough account of Salieri's life, dealing objectively with such controversial issues as his supposed "boycott" of Mozart's Marriage of Figaro, his obstruction of Mozart's desired appointment at court, his alleged poisoning of Mozart, and the delusions which Salieri suffered during his mental and physical decline in old age. Viewed against the backdrop of long-time Hapsburg patronage of Italian opera in Vienna, Salieri emerges as an industrious composer of musical comedy and drama to suit the imperial taste. For the first time he becomes a recognizable human being, a loving husband and father, a light-hearted friend, as well as a generous teacher. At the same time, however, Salieri remained politically astute, even cunning, in furthering his own career. Thayer's compelling narrative includes liberal quotes from associates who knew Salieri well, in addition to many personal reminiscences by the composer himself. This new, updated and enlarged edition also contains several appendices which Thayer was forced to omit from the original, including Salieri's essays on his teacher Gluck and on methods of string playing, as well as observations on the aged Salieri's behavior by his two male nurses.

Rival of Mozart

Salieri

Henry Edward Krehbiel

Volume III

The Life of Ludwig van Beethoven

Beethoven Association

The Life of Ludwig van Beethoven, Volume I of III

Thayer

Ludwig van Beethovens Leben

Ludwig van Beethoven's leben

The Life of Ludwig van Beethoven is the first scholarly biography of Ludwig van Beethoven, covering Beethoven's life to 1816. Thayer became aware of many discrepancies in the already existing biographies of Beethoven, so in 1849 he sailed for Europe to undertake his own researches, learning German and collecting information. Still after many updates Thayer's biography of Beethoven is regarded as a standard work of reference on the composer.

Complete Edition

The Life of Ludwig van Beethoven (Vol. 1-3)

Ludwig Van Beethoven's Leben

Signor Masoni and other papers. - Berlin, Schneider 1862

The Life of Ludwig Van Beethoven:

Volume II

"Tenth paperback printing, for the first time in two volumes, 1991"--Title page verso.

Alexander Wheelock Thayer

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