The Life of Ludwig van Beethoven (The Complete Three-Volume Edition) (ePub)

Alexander Wheelock Thayer (1817-1897) was an American author and librarian best known for his monumental biography of Ludwig van Beethoven, titled 'The Life of Ludwig van Beethoven,' which remains a cornerstone in Beethoven scholarship. Born in South Natick, Massachusetts, Thayer initially pursued a career in law before his passion for music history, and Beethoven in particular, led him to undertake the rigorous task of writing a comprehensive biography of the composer. Thayer's magnum opus, published in a complete three-volume edition, is celebrated for its meticulous research and dedication to primary sources, a novel approach in the 19th century. Thayer's archival work in Europe, especially in Vienna and other places where Beethoven lived, allowed him to access original letters, conversation books, and personal documents, which informed his writing substantially. Thayer approached his subject with academic rigor, setting a new standard for music biographies. His work is characterized by his efforts to dispel myths and bring forth a more accurate portrayal of Beethoven's life and works. Thayer's scrupulous methodologies laid the groundwork for many musicologists and historians that followed, and his biography is still referenced by scholars, musicians, and aficionados of Beethoven's music.