Why I belong to the ABS.
What is the American Beethoven Society? It is an organization that includes many people who absolutely LOVE Beethoven. It is filled with scholars, professional musicians, professors and teachers, amateur musicians and students. Anyone can join.
Beethoven's Music
If you love the music of Beethoven, you are definitely not alone.
From his Symphony no.1 to Symphony no. 9 my favorite recordings are of the Cleveland Orchestra with George Szell conducting. My favorite recording of the Beethoven Violin Concerto (He only wrote one violin concerto.) is of Kyung-Wha Chung and the London Philharmonic Orchestra with Klaus Tennstedt. I also love Itzhak Perlman's video recording of the Beethoven and Brahms violin concertos with the Berliner Philharmoniker with Daniel Barenboim conducting. If you ever get a chance to watch this do it!
Beethoven Books
If you are curious about Beethoven's life there is a great series of semi-autobiographical books written by, John Suchet, that are fantastic. This English author knows his Beethoven and has written other books about Mozart, Verdi and Strauss. I cannot wait for more!
Coming Soon
Book Club featuring The Last Master, by John Suchet.
If you are interested in Music and Literature, I will be hosting a book club where we will be discussing The Last Master and the life of Beethoven. We will meet once a week and a live performance of Beethoven's music with a lecture (including wine and cheese) will end each book.
Get Inspired, get to the library or book store and order your "The Last Master," by John Suchet. Feel free to email me your questions: programmenotesmusic@gmail.com