Beethoven After Napoleon: Political Romanticism in the Late Works (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9780520238558)

In this provocative analysis of Beethoven's late style, Stephen Rumph demonstrates how deeply political events shaped the composer's music, from his early enthusiasm for the French Revolution to his later entrenchment during the Napoleonic era. Impressive in its breadth of research as well as for its devotion to interdisciplinary work in music history, Beethoven after Napoleon challenges accepted views by illustrating the influence of German Romantic political thought in the formation of the artist's mature style. Beethoven's political views, Rumph argues, were not quite as liberal as many have assumed. While scholars agree that the works of the Napoleonic era such as the Eroica Symphony or Fidelio embody enlightened, revolutionary ideals of progress, freedom, and humanism, Beethoven's later works have attracted less political commentary. Rumph contends that the later works show clear affinities with a native German ideology that exalted history, religion, and the organic totality of state and society. He claims that as the Napoleonic Wars plunged Europe into political and economic turmoil, Beethoven's growing antipathy to the French mirrored the experience of his Romantic contemporaries. Rumph maintains that Beethoven's turn inward is no pessimistic retreat but a positive affirmation of new conservative ideals.

Author: Stephen Rumph
ISBN-10: 0520238559
ISBN-13: 9780520238558
Publisher: University of California Press
Language: English
Published: 08/15/2004
Pages: 304
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 1.27lbs
Size: 9.28h x 6.60w x 1.02d

Review Citation(s):
Choice 12/01/2004 pg. 672