The Beethoven Song Companion

This is the first full-length, published study of Beethovens songs. All the composers songs with piano are included, with full German texts and translations, together with comprehensive notes on the poetry and the music. The inclusion of unfinished songs gives a fascinating insight into Beethovens compositional methods. An introductory essay considers reasons for the relative neglect of the songs, the significance of Beethovens choice of texts, his crucial role in the development of German art-song and specific aspects such as choice of key. Throughout the book, poetic and musical texts are discussed in their historical context, and in the overall context of Beethovens life and music. It is anticipated that this book, like its predecessor The Schubert Song Companion, will encourage the performance and study of an important but comparatively neglected aspect of the work of the worlds most celebrated composer. -- .