In Search of Beethoven: A Personal Journey

John Suchet, the bestselling author of Beethoven: The Man Revealed, returns with In Search of Beethoven, a deeply personal and engaging exploration of the life and enduring power of this extraordinary composer, rightly recognised as a PRESTO BOOK OF THE YEAR 2024. As the Daily Telegraph notes, Suchet embarks on a "Beethoven odyssey" that takes us "from palaces to warzones," while the Financial Times, in their Best Books of the Year, praises the "appealing light touch" of this "personal account of his life-long passion." Norman Lebrecht, author of Why Beethoven, beautifully captures the essence of the book, calling it "a wonderful tale of self-realisation, of what we can gain from turning to genius in life's many crises."

Part biography, part memoir, part travelogue, Suchet masterfully weaves together his own life and distinguished career as a foreign correspondent and news anchor to illustrate the profound and constant presence of Beethoven's music through his best and worst moments. We journey with him as a music-loving and adventurous teenager, as a journalist entering the volatile heart of Beirut during civil war, and as he continues his exploration of the historical cities of Bonn and Vienna, always in search of a deeper connection with the man behind the immortal music.

In this captivating and compelling book, Suchet brings Beethoven vividly – and at times poignantly – to life. He retraces Beethoven's footsteps from his early years in Bonn to his final days in Vienna, taking the reader on a journey that is both literal and symbolic. Through his own experiences as a dedicated Beethoven aficionado, Suchet compellingly demonstrates the truly life-changing power that great music can possess.

Composer and conductor Debbie Wiseman OBE perfectly encapsulates the book's charm, stating, "This is a comprehensive yet accessible history of Beethoven wrapped up in an inviting, immersive tale of adventure and discovery, delivered in an inviting, engaging and endearing way typical of this master storyteller." In Search of Beethoven is a delightful and insightful read for both seasoned classical music lovers and those newly curious about the enduring genius of Ludwig van Beethoven.