Anton Schindler – författare

Violinist and conductor Anton Schindler (1795-1864) became Beethoven's unpaid private secretary for two periods in the 1820s, notably caring for the composer in his last months. Schindler published his biography of Beethoven in 1840, and in 1841 this English translation appeared, with a preface and additional letters provided by the pianist Ignaz Moscheles (1794-1870), who in 1814 had prepared the piano version of Fidelio for publication by Artaria. That the biography is unreliable has long been recognised, as it presents Schindler's idealised, romantic view of Beethoven, whom he revered, and contains inaccuracies and fabrications uncovered by later research. While the work must therefore be approached with care, it remains nonetheless an important source of first-hand information through its use of documents unavailable to other early biographers. Volume 1 covers Beethoven's life to the completion of the Ninth Symphony in 1824.

Violinist and conductor Anton Schindler (1795-1864) became Beethoven's unpaid private secretary for two periods in the 1820s, notably caring for the composer in his last months. Schindler published his biography of Beethoven in 1840, and in 1841 this English translation appeared, with a preface and additional letters provided by the pianist Ignaz Moscheles (1794-1870), who in 1814 had prepared the piano version of Fidelio for publication by Artaria. That the biography is unreliable has long been recognised, as it presents Schindler's idealised, romantic view of Beethoven, whom he revered, and contains inaccuracies and fabrications uncovered by later research. While the work must therefore be approached with care, it remains nonetheless an important source of first-hand information through its use of documents unavailable to other early biographers. Volume 2 covers the period 1824-7, and includes Schindler's observations on Beethoven's music and character.

“Life of Beethoven” is a 1840 biography of Beethoven written by his friend Anton Schindler. Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827) was a German composer and pianist. Beethoven''s musical prowess was recognised from an early age, and he soon became famous as a virtuoso pianist and composer. However, after having gone almost completely deaf by 1814, Beethoven ceased public performances and appearances entirely. One of the most celebrated composers in Western history, Beethoven''s music remains amongst the most commonly-performed classical music around the world. Contents include: “First Period - From His Birth To The Year 1800”, “Second Period - From 1800 To October, 1813”, “Third Period - From November, 1813, Till His Death, in 1827, Part I”, “Third Period - Till His Death In 1827, Part II”, “Third Period - From 1824 Till Beethoven''s Death In 1827, Part III”, “Musical Observations”, etc. A unique early biography of Beethoven by someone who knew him personally not to be missed by those with an interest in classical music in general. Anton Felix Schindler (1795–1864) was a friend, secretary, and biographer of Ludwig van Beethoven. Other notable works by this author include: “Beethoven as I knew him” (1996) and “The life of Beethoven (1966). Read & Co. Books is republishing this classic biography now in a new edition complete with a specially-commissioned new biography of the author.