Beethoven

"Beethoven" by Romain Rolland is a biographical exploration of the famed composer Ludwig van Beethoven, detailing his trials, victories, and lasting impact on the world of music. It stresses Beethoven's personality, his creative genius, and his deep bond with humanity, with specific attention to how his hardships influenced his artistic expression. The book starts with a serious yet uplifting mood, reflecting on the troublesome world during Beethoven's time. Rolland looks at the struggles of significant figures, suggesting that it's their pain that brings about their magnitude, with Beethoven embodying this concept through his commitment to boost the mood of those struggling. Rolland portrays Beethoven as a valiant hero, not defined by social recognition, but by his pure spirit and the inherent goodness he possessed, providing an entry point to contemplating the severity of Beethoven's battles, such as his deafness and personal losses, paving the way for an engaging look at the composer's extraordinary life and impact.