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    Beethoven's Heroic Symphony

    Part of Once Upon a Masterpiece

    Author Anna Harwell Celenza
    Illustrated by Joann E. Kitchel
    Look inside
    Hardcover
    $17.99 US
    Charlesbridge
    9.32"W x 9.32"H x 0.41"D   | 13 oz | 20 per carton
    On sale Oct 18, 2016 | 32 Pages | 9781580895309
    Age 6-9 years | Grades 1-4
    Add to cart Add to list Exam Copies

    Discover the little-known story of Beethoven's beloved masterwork. 

    As the best pianist in Vienna, Ludwig van Beethoven had everything: talent, money, fame. But he also had a terrible secret. He was slowly going deaf. Though his hearing deserted him, the maestro never lost his music. Seeking inspiration for his compositions, Beethoven hit upon Napoleon Bonaparte, then considered a liberator and a folk hero. Soon after Beethoven completed the work, Napoleon declared himself Emperor of France; betrayed and enraged, Beethoven tore his copy of the score to pieces. But his friend Ferdinand rescued a copy, and in time, Beethoven renamed it Eroica: the Heroic Symphony, dedicated to hero in each and every one of us.
    Anna Harwell Celenza is a musicologist and the author of several books for children including SAINT-SAEN'S DANSE MACABRE, MUSSORGSKY'S PICTURES AT AN EXHIBITION, and GERSHWIN'S RHAPSODY IN BLUE. Anna lives in Baltimore, Maryland, and is a professor of music at Georgetown University.
    Anna Harwell Celenza View titles by Anna Harwell Celenza
    Joann E. Kitchel View titles by Joann E. Kitchel
    In a glimmering salon, Ludwig van Beethoven played the piano. The audience
    sat mesmerized. Never had they heard music performed with such emotion and strength. As Ludwig glanced at them, he felt extremely proud. He was the best pianist in Vienna, perhaps the best in all of Europe. Ludwig wrote music that showcased his talent, and when he played, women swooned and men cheered. The wealthy paid him large sums of money to perform in their homes.
    It seemed he had everything: talent, fame, money. No one suspected that the great
    Ludwig van Beethoven also had a troubling secret—he was slowly going deaf. It was getting more and more difficult for him to play the piano. Without his hearing his career, fame, and fortune would soon come to an end.
    Copyright © 2016 by Anna Harwell Celenza (Author); JoAnn E. Kitchel (Illustrator). All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.

    About

    Discover the little-known story of Beethoven's beloved masterwork. 

    As the best pianist in Vienna, Ludwig van Beethoven had everything: talent, money, fame. But he also had a terrible secret. He was slowly going deaf. Though his hearing deserted him, the maestro never lost his music. Seeking inspiration for his compositions, Beethoven hit upon Napoleon Bonaparte, then considered a liberator and a folk hero. Soon after Beethoven completed the work, Napoleon declared himself Emperor of France; betrayed and enraged, Beethoven tore his copy of the score to pieces. But his friend Ferdinand rescued a copy, and in time, Beethoven renamed it Eroica: the Heroic Symphony, dedicated to hero in each and every one of us.

    Author

    Anna Harwell Celenza is a musicologist and the author of several books for children including SAINT-SAEN'S DANSE MACABRE, MUSSORGSKY'S PICTURES AT AN EXHIBITION, and GERSHWIN'S RHAPSODY IN BLUE. Anna lives in Baltimore, Maryland, and is a professor of music at Georgetown University.
    Anna Harwell Celenza View titles by Anna Harwell Celenza
    Joann E. Kitchel View titles by Joann E. Kitchel

    Excerpt

    In a glimmering salon, Ludwig van Beethoven played the piano. The audience
    sat mesmerized. Never had they heard music performed with such emotion and strength. As Ludwig glanced at them, he felt extremely proud. He was the best pianist in Vienna, perhaps the best in all of Europe. Ludwig wrote music that showcased his talent, and when he played, women swooned and men cheered. The wealthy paid him large sums of money to perform in their homes.
    It seemed he had everything: talent, fame, money. No one suspected that the great
    Ludwig van Beethoven also had a troubling secret—he was slowly going deaf. It was getting more and more difficult for him to play the piano. Without his hearing his career, fame, and fortune would soon come to an end.
    Copyright © 2016 by Anna Harwell Celenza (Author); JoAnn E. Kitchel (Illustrator). All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.

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