A01=Stephen Rumph
academic
Author_Stephen Rumph
beethoven
biographical
Category=AVLA
Category=AVN
Category=AVP
Category=DNBF
classical music
composer
conservative
economics
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famous composer
freedom
french revolution
german composer
german ideology
german music
german musician
humanism
interdisciplinary
liberal
music history
musical composer
musical composition
napoleon
napoleonic
native german
native people
political
political commentary
politics
progress
religious studies
revolution
revolutionary
romantic
scholarly
Product details
- ISBN 9780520238558
- Weight: 590g
- Dimensions: 152 x 229mm
- Publication Date: 15 Aug 2004
- Publisher: University of California Press
- Publication City/Country: US
- Product Form: Hardback
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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.
Stephen Rumph is Assistant Professor of Music History at the University of Washington, Seattle.
