Selected Recent Beethoven and Beethoven-Related Books (1992-1996)

THE FOLLOWING DESCRIPTIONS OF BOOKS RECENTLY ACQUIRED BY THE BEETHOVEN CENTER ARE INTENDED TO AID READERS IN SELECTING BOOKS THAT APPEAL TO THEIR INDIVIDUAL INTERESTS. Part I, Books for General Reader, encompasses biographies, histories, repertory guides and other reference books, and introductory texts appropriate for music student. Part II, Books for Specialist, lists books with a highly analytical or philosophical focus intended for readers with substantial knowledge of In those cases where authors have identified their book as being for general reader or specialist, we have accepted their categorization. Prices dollars following prices foreign currencies are based on exchange rates, not import prices. I. Books for general reader IA. Books English Advani, Rukun. Beethoven Among Cows. London; Boston: Faber & Faber, 1994. ix, 174 pp. ISBN 0-571170-44-7. $12.50. This short novel is a fantasy about modern India. During protagonists' quest for their country's identity, they encounter not only Beethoven, but also Nostradamus, Mikhail Gorbachev, Elizabeth Taylor, and other historical and imaginary figures. Altman, Gail S. Beethoven, Man of His Word: Undisclosed Evidence for His Immortal Beloved. Tallahassee, Fla.: Anubian Press, 1996. xvii, 429 pp. ISBN 1-888071-01-X (hdbk.) $24.95 ($21 members of American Beethoven Society); ISBN 1-888071-00-1 (pbk.) $17.95. This book-length study of Immortal Beloved begins by examining Beethoven's romantic relationships throughout his life with intention of restoring Beethoven's claim to morality. The author's method is to re-examine sources used by previous biographers for their conclusions, many of which she claims have been interpreted out-ofcontext and twisted to suit biographer's point of view. The author refutes Maynard Solomon's view of Beethoven as a man of pretense, self-deception, and self-doubts. She dismisses Solomon's conclusions regarding Antonie Brentano as Immortal Beloved and Susan Lund's assertions that Beethoven fathered Antonie's youngest child. Also under attack are proponents of Josephine Brunsvik as intended recipient of famous letter. The author's investigations lead her to conclude that Anna Marie Erdody was Immortal Beloved. Includes index. (See review this issue.) Ardoin, John. The Furtwangler Record. Portland, Ore.: Amadeus Press, 1994. 376 pp. ISBN 0-931340-69-1. $32.95. The author mines some unexplored original source material this study of controversial conductor Wilhelm Furtwangler, whose name is still often linked with Hitler. Part One is an overview of Furtwangler's place mainstream German school of conducting, his career path through war years, and his artistic and personal identity. Part Two focuses on his recordings and development as a conductor. The book includes translations of Furtwangler's writings and letters, some published here for first time, and a discography compiled by John Hung, with label information for recent CDs. An extensive chapter on Beethoven's music, which was at heart of Furtwangler's art, reviews Furtwangler's recordings of all of symphonies, some of overtures and concertos, excerpts from Fidelio, orchestral transcriptions of String Quartet B-flat Major, Opus 130, and Grosse Fuge. Includes index. Ehrlich, Cyril. First Philharmonic: A History of Royal Philharmonic Society. Oxford: Clarendon Press; New York: Oxford Univ. Press, 1995. 307 pp. ISBN 0-198162-32-4. 307 pp. $49.95. Founded London 1813, Philharmonic Society was main conduit for Beethoven reception England. The Society's aim was to promote performance in most perfect manner possible of the best and most approved instrumental music. Founding members included prominent musicians such as Muzio Clementi, Thomas Attwood, Vincent Novelle, J.P. …