How hard is it to move 5 legless pianos 39 times?
Beethoven owned five legless pianos and composed great works on the floor. His first apartment... read full description
Beethoven owned five legless pianos and composed great works on the floor. His first apartment... read full description
reviews
Mar 09, 2011
Dolly
rated it: 
This is such an unusual and fascinating book. Even though it didn't make it as one of the selections for the Picture-Book Club's March 2011 Music-themed reads (here), I just knew we had to read this book. The mixture of history, diary entries, conjecture and theory is fun and informative. We knew that Beethoven was an amazing and prolific composer, but the fact that he moved so many times (often with his pianos!) was news to me. And the report of his unusual behaviors as he composed (especia
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Nov 23, 2011
Beth
rated it:
As a former student of classical piano, this book was right up my alley. A presumptuous tale of why Beethoven lived in 39 different apartments in Vienna, Jonah Winter weaves facts and conjecture to try to figure out why Beethoven moved so often. The main presumption is that as his deafness increased, so too did his madness. As a musical genius, it is certainly understandable that deafness would lead to madness.
Given the beauty and dignity of Beethoven's music, it was surprising to r More...
Given the beauty and dignity of Beethoven's music, it was surprising to r More...
Dec 07, 2009
James
rated it: 
This book brings the reader a bit of Beethoven biography from an oblique angle—detailing the idiosyncrasies of the composer’s relentless relocations. The author also mixes humorous fiction in with the facts, and the combined effect can seem rambling and disorganized. Perhaps this an apt metaphor for the state of Beethoven’s domestic situations, but I was left asking, “What do I take away from this about Beethoven?” Mostly I felt bad for the moving crews! For the reader who knows Beethoven’s
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Feb 09, 2010
Amanda
rated it: 
I still need to read the end pages which probably talk about the historical accuracy of this book, but I found it fascinating and a very fun read. On the line between fiction and non, it shows some of the quirky characteristics of Beethoven and opened me up to talking to my 4 yr old about composers and what they do.
Sep 26, 2011
Angie
rated it:
I thought this was interesting, but I can't imagine very many children being very interested in it. I had never heard about him moving so often and taking a piano along!
Oct 17, 2009
Melissa
rated it:
Very entertaining, incredibly silly, and wonderful illustrations. A very fun book that is not to be taken seriously. More for adults, or for brainy kids that enjoy musical humor.
Sep 21, 2009
Karen
rated it: 
I am a big fan of Jonah Winter now - kid's books on historical figures. This one is a particular favorite! I also like the illustrations here by Barry Blitt.
Apr 19, 2010
DixieJo
rated it:
my kids think this book is funny. I don't. If the kids alone rated it it would be a four star. If I alone rated it it would be a half star.
Sep 09, 2010
Teri
rated it:
Nice enrichment to teaching senses as well as getting feel for Beethoven's character
Oct 08, 2007
Destinee
rated it:
First of all, really cool endpapers. Second of all, very funny telling, but possibly confusing for young kids because there's fact mixed in with silliness and it's not entirely clear which is which sometimes.
Aug 24, 2008
Elizabeth
rated it:
Not entirely factual and not so obvious to the kids where the facts and the fantasy meet. But great illustrations and fun humor.
Jan 28, 2012
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