Life of Beethoven by Ignaz Moscheles 1841

[Quijote]

Philip, I'm reading that right now -- I mean literally right now. (I set it down to reply to you.) I have the Canto edition you mention, the translation by Maynard Solomon. What I'm wondering is whether Solomon's translation is reliable. A few of you on this forum have criticized Solomon's English translations of Beethoven letters, &c., so I'd like to know what you guys think of his work translating the von Breuning book.

Hello DavidO - I'm afraid I can't comment on Solomon's reliability as I have a very low level of German. I have heard such comments about his translations, however. That said, I have not read anything particularly negative about this edition, so keep reading and enjoy!

[Peter]

Philip, I'm reading that right now -- I mean literally right now. (I set it down to reply to you.) I have the Canto edition you mention, the translation by Maynard Solomon. What I'm wondering is whether Solomon's translation is reliable. A few of you on this forum have criticized Solomon's English translations of Beethoven letters, &c., so I'd like to know what you guys think of his work translating the von Breuning book.

Like Philip my German is not good enough to comment, except to say that I also have the book and enjoyed it immensely. I think with Breuning's memoirs the danger is more the lapse of time and the obvious influence of Schindler which is perhaps of more concern than Solomon's translation.

[Quijote]

Like Philip my German is not good enough to comment, except to say that I also have the book and enjoyed it immensely. I think with Breuning's memoirs the danger is more the lapse of time and the obvious influence of Schindler which is perhaps of more concern than Solomon's translation.

Relectant as I am (you may have noticed how I don't like agreeing with anyone), I agree with Peter - the Schindler influence is far more pernicious than Solomon's abilities as a translator. By the way, I have copyrighted the following expression :

"Schindler the Swindler".