Barry Cooper is professor of music at the University of Manchester. He is the author of Beethoven and the Creative Process (1990) and Beethoven (Master Musicians) (2008).

A lofty undertaking? Certainly. But one that must happen if we are to move beyond the barriers that Brooks has so ably shown exist in understanding the value of music by one such undersung group-children. And by hearing-and patiently working to understand-the voices of the voiceless we will experience the truth richness of the human life cycle, from beginning to end.

Barry Cooper is professor of music at the University of Manchester. He is the author of Beethoven and the Creative Process (1990) and Beethoven (Master Musicians) (2008).

A lofty undertaking? Certainly. But one that must happen if we are to move beyond the barriers that Brooks has so ably shown exist in understanding the value of music by one such undersung group-children. And by hearing-and patiently working to understand-the voices of the voiceless we will experience the truth richness of the human life cycle, from beginning to end.

Barry Cooper is professor of music at the University of Manchester. He is the author of Beethoven and the Creative Process (1990) and Beethoven (Master Musicians) (2008).

A lofty undertaking? Certainly. But one that must happen if we are to move beyond the barriers that Brooks has so ably shown exist in understanding the value of music by one such undersung group-children. And by hearing-and patiently working to understand-the voices of the voiceless we will experience the truth richness of the human life cycle, from beginning to end.