Sanford Friedman (1928–2010)

I received an advanced copy of this book from The New York Review of Books through NetGalley.

The format and style of this book is nothing short of genius. Because of his deafness, Beethoven would use conversation books to communicate in the last years of his life. His friends and family would write their parts of a conversation in the books and he would respond orally. CONVERSATIONS WITH BEETHOVEN attempts to reconstruct the conversation book from the last year of his life.
These conversations with the great maestro portray a man who was irascible and paranoid. He believed that all women had loose morals that would give you a disease. He constantly accused people in his life of trying to poison him or steal from him. He had an explosive temper and those around him would often try to calm him down and make him stop shouting. Beethoven’s paranoia resulted in several hilarious exchanges between himself and his family members. There are many funny conversations between Beethoven and his brother Johann in which Beethoven is accusing Johann of stealing from him or telling Johann that his wife is sleeping around.

The conversations also reveal a touching side to the composer, who was thoroughly devoted to his family and always passionate about writing music. His nephew Karl, whom he adopted after the death of his brother, gives him many reasons for worry and heartache. Throughout all of the trials and tribulations with Karl, his affection and attention to his nephew never wanes. He also has several devoted assistants and friends that he cares for greatly. The unique style of the conversations lets the reader see, in their own words, the genuine affection that friends, family and acquaintances had for Beethoven.

If you read one new book this fall then it should be CONVERSATIONS WITH BEETHOVEN. The New York Review of Books had issued yet another great reprint that will allow a new generation of readers to enjoy and appreciate Sanford Friedman’s work.… (meer)