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Why Beethoven Threw the Stew

And Lots More Stories About the Lives of Great Composers
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( 312 ratings, 43 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Why Beethoven Threw the Stew is a delightful introduction to classical composers for children, penned by renowned cellist Steven Isserlis. The book presents six famous composers – Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Schumann, Brahms, and Stravinsky – as charming characters, blending wit and information to bring their stories and music to life. Engaging black-and-white illustrations complement the text, making it a joyful read for young readers curious about classical music.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book is ideal for children beginning to explore the world of classical music, suitable for reading alone or sharing with adults. It appeals especially to young readers with an interest in music or biographies, offering an accessible and entertaining way to learn about great composers.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

A fascinating collection of weird and wonderful stories about the lives of famous composers.

Why Beethoven Threw the Stew: And Lots More Stories About the Lives of Great Composers, by Steven Isserlis, is an enlightening and hilarious history of some of our favourite classical composers.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

The ideal introduction for children to the world of classical composers and their music. 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.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780571206162

Publisher: Faber & Faber

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 08 October 2001

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Faber & Faber

Edition: Main

Audience: Children

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 10.0mm

Width: 125.0mm

Height: 195.0mm

Weight: 132g

Pages: 144

About the Author

Steven Isserlis' 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, he was awarded the Schumann prize.

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  • Robert Schumann's Advice to Young Musicians
    'No musician or music lover should be without it.' BBC Music MagazineRobert Schumann was far ahead of his time: his music anticipated a multitude of trends that would spread in the 150 years after his death, and almost every major composer who followed him acknowledged his influence. He was also revolutionary in his attitude to young people; in 1848 he...
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  • The Bach Cello Suites
    A unique Companion to J S Bach's iconic Cello Suites from internationally-renowned cellist Steven Isserlis. 'Isserlis is the master of the material, yet always able to make it accessible... It is an absolute treat to be led to this sublime music by such an enthusiastic expert.' MICHAEL PALIN 'The book I've always wanted: an accessible, eloquent guide to the world's...
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