William S. Newman

Beethoven on Beethoven

"'Must' reading for any pianist concerned with Beethoven's music, which is to say almost every pianist alive." —William Rothstein, Musical Times

In this provocative new study, William Newman presents to the reader "whatever intentions on Beethoven's part can be documented or can be supported by reasoning and analysis in the primary sources for his music." His aim, in brief, is to get as close as possible to the performance practices Beethoven himself had in mind for his piano music, both solo and ensemble works.

Since one can document Beethoven's intentions with hard evidence only infrequently, the author has had to depend on deductive reasoning to a great extent, lending a mystery-story quality to this fascinating investigation. Dr. Newman systematically examines such vital issues as tempo, articulation, ornamentation, dynamic direction, and rhythmic grouping. Keyboard techniques are viewed both as clues to Beethoven's own endowments and as the consequences thereof.

Lavishly illustrated with over 250 music examples and plates, this work not only fills a conspicuous gap in the literature, but deals authoritatively with many questions that have confronted every inquiring performer and teacher of Beethoven's piano music.