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.

25 people found this helpful

Comprehensive and entertaining

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This audiobook covers Beethoven thoroughly and with humorous asides that are interesting.

What did you like best about this story?

I really like the inclusion of first hand materials such as excerpts from letters and legal documents that give Beethoven and his contemporaries voice in the lectures.

What does Professor Robert Greenberg bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Professor Greenberg is spectacular at using voice and tone to express emotion. This further brings to life the readings of first hand sources in a way I wouldn't necessarily experience by simply reading the material myself.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I found myself laughing at several points in the lecture due to the turn of phrase or exuberant interjection of emotion in the lecture. i also found that the professor was as good at expressing the sad portions of the lectures as well, such as Beethoven's frustration over his hearing loss.

17 people found this helpful

Great lecture about a very onery guy

Robert Greenberg does a wonderful job. If you are into music his lectures are not to be missed. This is the seventh lecture I have enjoyed from the composer great courses.Two more to go Mahler and Shostakovich. Get them all you will love them and learn all the good stuff about how music is written and the lives of these amazing dysfunctional men.

19 people found this helpful

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!

5 people found this helpful

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.

5 people found this helpful

Ahh... Beethoven

Would you consider the audio edition of Great Masters: Beethoven - His Life and Music to be better than the print version?

n/a

What other book might you compare Great Masters: Beethoven - His Life and Music to and why?

Mozart, his life and music. Excellent overview

What about Professor Robert Greenberg’s performance did you like?

That he didn't edit the ugly with the good.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Laugh, and think deeply about the man who wrote the music I love to play and listen to.

16 people found this helpful

He Certainly Brings Beethoven to Life!

I don't think you can be disappointed with a Robert Greenberg lecture unless you are a terrible stuffed shirt. He is so full of enthusiasm and knowledgeable about his subject you can't help but be drawn in. Just knowing these interesting tidbits of information about Beethoven makes listening to his amazing music that Greenberg samples for us so much more enjoyable.

I listened to the lectures with my daughter while on a recent working vacation helping her out with her new business in Hawaii. So many times we caught each others eyes and smiled or outright laughed at Greenberg's enthusiastic descriptions of the composer's life. This is educational entertainment at its best. I came to purchase this current offering after listening to Greenberg's much longer course, How To Listen To And Understand Great Music, a spectacular experience of a much bigger scope, of 36 plus hours.

So, of course, I am recommending this audio lecture.

4 people found this helpful

Superlative "lecture:"

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Excellent. Not exactly irreverent, but not worshipful, down-to-earth telling of the story of the greatest composer so far. The book is entertaining, no, very entertaining, and informative. It had me laughing aloud, to my surprise. I expect to do something I haven't done before -- when it ends, immediately start it over. Then I'll look for others by the same author/reader.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Delivery occasionally over the top, forgivable.

3 people found this helpful

Educational AND a rip roaring good time!

This biography is not only educational but FUN! What a genius! What a life and the professor/lecturer is great, nary a dull moment. Sure, Beethoven was cranky but he had his reasons and after listening to this book, I have one of the greatest critic rebuff quotes of all time from the lips of maestro Beethoven himself !I could sit in this guy's class all day long and be enlightened. I plan on listening to more books in the series. Hoping others are as knowledgable and enthusiastic as this prof!

2 people found this helpful

Great Course

Would you consider the audio edition of Great Masters: Beethoven - His Life and Music to be better than the print version?

Yes

What did you like best about this story?

How Beethovan did his best works following devastating trials in his life.

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

Yes. Greenberg is great. He has passion and his use of language is awesome and refreshing. He is a good as many professional narrators.

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

The ending of the 9th Symphony when the singer turned him around so he could see the reaction of the audience.

Any additional comments?

I like this professor. He is inspiring because he knows so much about the subject of his courses. I can't imagine how long it must take him to write these lectures. He is passionate and funny/entertaining.

2 people found this helpful