Beethoven: A Life in Nine Pieces

Author	Laura Tunbridge
Language	English
Genre	Biography
Published	2020
Publisher	Viking
Publication place	United Kingdom
Media type	Print, e-Book, audiobook
Pages	288
ISBN	978-0241414279

Beethoven: A Life in Nine Pieces is a biographical book written by Laura Tunbridge and published by Viking in 2020. Each chapter uses one of nine compositions of Ludwig van Beethoven in chronological order. The publishing year was intended to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the composer's birth.

• Septet in E♭ major, Op. 20 (1800)
• Violin Sonata No. 9, Op. 47 in A major (1803)
• Symphony No. 3 in E♭ major, Op. 55 (1804)
• Fantasy, Op. 80 (1808)
• An die Geliebte, WoO 140 (1812)
• Fidelio, Op. 72 (1814)
• Piano Sonata No. 29 in B♭ major, Op. 106 (Hammerklavier) (1818)
• Missa solemnis in D major, Op. 123 (1823)
• String Quartet No. 13 in B♭ major, Op. 130 (1826)

The book received positive reviews from critics. The Guardian praised the book, adding that "in 288 pages, Tunbridge gives us detail enough to create a rounded portrait. She challenges, by example rather than theory, the presumption that Beethoven was curmudgeonly, friendless, loveless."^[1] The London Evening Standard called it "a rich accompaniment to [Beethoven's] music"^[2] and The Times called it thought-provoking.^[3]

• Beethoven: A Life in Nine Pieces (2020) Viking Press ISBN 978-0241414279, Yale University Press ISBN 978-0300254587. 288 pages