Learning with Ludwig

âBrownâs book ingeniously bridges the gap between music history and theory. He deconstructs not only the famous âJoyâ theme itself, but explores, step by step, the evolution of the entire finale of the Ninth Symphony by showing how Beethoven drew upon the lessons he learned from older and contemporary theoretical sources. A brilliant accomplishment!ââ"David B. Levy, Professor Emeritus, Wake Forest University, USA, and the author of Beethoven: The Ninth Symphony (Yale University Press, 2003).

"Matthew Brownâs Learning with Ludwig is a celebration of Beethovenâs An die Freude theme. Liberally illustrated with musical examples, Brown reveals his breadth of scholarship in a most accessible manner, and explores the theme with a variety of techniques through a virtuosic synthesis of ideas by such diverse and renowned theorists as Fux, C.P.E. Bach, Kirnberger, Koch, Czerny, and Schenker. While the latterâs influential monograph on the Ninth Symphony looms large, Brown also draws on many of the Viennese theoristâs later ideas, as well as other, more recent analytical methods. This comprehensive look at the theme culminates in a remarkable book on the Finale of Beethovenâs magnum opus from the perspectives of theory, history, and aesthetics.ââ"Professor Eric Wen, City University of New York, USA.

âThis book offers a backstage pass into Beethovenâs workshop during the creation of the Ode to Joy. Brown maps Beethovenâs compositional worldâ"from melodic design, variation, and text setting to harmony, counterpoint, and formâ"while placing improvisation at the center of the creative process. Step by step, he follows the Ode from modest sketchbook materials to its full-scale, powerhouse realization, culminating in double-fugue counterpoint. Drawing on figures as diverse as Darwin and Schenker, Fux and C. P. E. Bach, Brown delivers a historically informed, alltools-on-deck exploration of Beethovenâs musical thinkingâ"an insideâ"out view that is unusually comprehensive and insightful.ââ"Dr Brian Ciach, San Jose State University, USA.