The Character of a Genius: Beethoven in Perspective

by Peter J. Davies

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780313319136
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	10/30/2001
Series:	Contributions to the Study of Music and Dance , #60
Pages:	376
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

PETER J. DAVIES is a retired consultant physician of internal medicine and gastroenterology who has devoted his studies to the health, personality, and creativity of Mozart and Beethoven./e Previous works include Mozart in Person: His Character and Health (Greenwood, 1989) and Beethoven in Person: His Deafness, Illnesses, and Death (Greenwood, 2001).

Table 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