Why Beethoven Threw The Stew

"Meurig : Steven Isserlis is one of the most important cellists in the world at the moment. This book is made up of the biographies of six of his favourite composers. It’s basically a chapter on each: Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Schumann, Brahms and Stravinsky. I’d say the ideal age group is around 9-13 years old. These books are full of anecdotes and humour. Steven Isserlis brings, what could be perceived as dusty museum like, figures completely to life in a really engaging and entertaining way. “These composers were living, breathing, passionate, flawed and entertaining people who drank, laughed and loved like the rest of us. ” Rachel : His books are full of his personality. There is something very warm about these portraits of composers. His passion for the music and his knowledge of it shines through completely. Meurig : These composers were living, breathing, passionate, flawed and entertaining people who drank, laughed and loved like the rest of us. That is something we all need to be reminded about when we listen to their music. If you know about their life stories, the times they lived in, the great political events they experienced, it helps their music come to life."