In Why Beethoven Threw the Stew, renowned cellist Steven Isserlis sets out to pass on to children a wonderful gift given to him by his own cello teacher - the chance to people his own world with the great composers by getting to know them as friends. Witty and informative at the same time, Isserlis introduces us to six of his favourite composers: the sublime genius Bach, the quicksilver Mozart, Beethoven with his gruff humour, the shy Schumann, the prickly Brahms and that extraordinary split personality, Stravinsky. Isserlis brings the composers alive in an irresistible manner that can't fail to catch the attention of any child whose ear has been caught by any of the music described, or anyone entering the world of classical music for the first time. The lively black and white line illustrations provide a perfect accompaniment to the text, and make this book attractive and accessible for children to enjoy on their own or share with an adult.
Why Beethoven Threw the Stew
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A wild, wacky but surprisingly spot-on retelling of the lives of the great composers for children... -- Daily Telegraph, November 17, 2001
Anyone who catches a touch of his devotion will have a life of listening to look forward to. -- Times Educational Supplement, November 16, 2001
The perfect encouragement for any child who shows an interest in classical music. -- Bookseller, Autumn 2001
There's a delightful chumminess to the writing and the book is full of entertaining anecdotes... -- Guardian, November 13, 2001
[It] is aimed at children, but adults with a sketchy knowledge of classical music could benefit from reading it. -- Oxford Times, October 19, 2001
Anyone who catches a touch of his devotion will have a life of listening to look forward to. -- Times Educational Supplement, November 16, 2001
The perfect encouragement for any child who shows an interest in classical music. -- Bookseller, Autumn 2001
There's a delightful chumminess to the writing and the book is full of entertaining anecdotes... -- Guardian, November 13, 2001
[It] is aimed at children, but adults with a sketchy knowledge of classical music could benefit from reading it. -- Oxford Times, October 19, 2001
About the Author
Steven Isserlis was born into music at a fairly early age. His whole family was musical - his father plays the violin, his mother played the piano, and his two sisters play the violin and viola - so he took up the cello because he didn't want to get left out. He soon decided that playing the cello was what he wanted to do for the rest of his life (partly because it meant that he wouldn't have to get up too early in the morning to get to work). These days, he travels all over the world, playing concerts to whoever wants to listen (and to a few who don't too) and making recordings. He studied in England, Scotland and America; his main teacher was a wonderfully eccentric lady called Jane Cowan, who convinced him that he had to become friends with the composers whose music he played. In 1998, he was awarded a CBE, for 'services to music'; and in 2000, the city of Zwickau (birthplace of the composer Robert Schumann, to whom a chapter in Why Beethoven Threw the Stew is devoted) bestowed the Schumann Prize 2000 upon his curly head. He lives in London, with his wife and son, lots of cellos and a piano. Find out more at Steven Isserlis's excellent website.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By Mr. F. L. Dunkin Wedd
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I loved this book, and learnt a lot I didn't know about some great composers. We could argue about inclusions / exclusions forever - don't let's.
Excellent gift for any child interested in classical music.
The only lack I felt was of any accompanying CD - but you can remedy that easily at Amazon.co.uk, no doubt....
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Presenting classical music and composers to children is always tricky - they tend to be associated with "stuffy" adults - but this book makes a pleasant change. You can read it together with younger children, and then listen to the music suggested in the book, and it means a whole lot more to them. I think most adults would enjoy this too!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By RR Waller
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I bought this for my grandchildren, but, having read it, now realise they will have to wait a few years as it is more suitable for interested six or seven year-olds with good literarcy levels.
It deals with JS Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Schumann, Brahms, Stravinsky with a section on musical words. This book breathes life into the great classical composers many people know only by name. This small and select group of composers comprises individuals who changed the world of music and, in some ways, the world itself and our perception of it. They were different, often eccentric people who saw the world differently and behaved in ways unique to them. This small book brings these individuals and their lives into vivid realism and often with great humour, making them people, not just geniuses or composers. It will challenge views on ways of living and whether we should make allowances for genuises.
It also has a section on each composer recommending a variety of their best-known music as an introduction. A CD would have been better but the pieces are so well known it is not difficult to obtain them.
It is an excellent book to bring the world of classic music into childre's lives. It is an idedal book for aduklts to read with younger children and that ticks a lot of boxes.
Recommended
It deals with JS Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Schumann, Brahms, Stravinsky with a section on musical words. This book breathes life into the great classical composers many people know only by name. This small and select group of composers comprises individuals who changed the world of music and, in some ways, the world itself and our perception of it. They were different, often eccentric people who saw the world differently and behaved in ways unique to them. This small book brings these individuals and their lives into vivid realism and often with great humour, making them people, not just geniuses or composers. It will challenge views on ways of living and whether we should make allowances for genuises.
It also has a section on each composer recommending a variety of their best-known music as an introduction. A CD would have been better but the pieces are so well known it is not difficult to obtain them.
It is an excellent book to bring the world of classic music into childre's lives. It is an idedal book for aduklts to read with younger children and that ticks a lot of boxes.
Recommended
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4.0 out of 5 stars
Enjoyable intro to the ol' maestros
It's the anecdotes and the way in which the old masters are portrayed as human beings of flesh and blood that are the book's main attraction, although I personally find that at... Read more
Published on 3 Nov 2004 by JJA Kiefte
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good for Adults too!
This book brings to life the characters of the great composers, showing just how unique and interesting they were. Read more
Published on 27 Sep 2002 by Emily Mather
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