John Suchet's B biography?

[PDG]

Originally posted by AlteGrafin:
John Suchet's novels are disgusting, IMO.

Used toilet paper is disgusting, but Suchet's novels? Maybe this is what you use them as?!

This has been the ITV Lunchtime News.

[~Immortal Beloved~]

Originally posted by Rod:
Listen, I'm a coal miner's son!

hehehe this is so funny! *falls on the floor laughing*

[AlteGrafin]

I am indeed disgusted to learn that Suchet is pursuing his attempt to drag Beethoven in the gutter. Not that he will succeed, because those people who know Beethoven's character can see that this man knowing absolutely nothing. True, he wrote NOVELS, but it would have been nicer if he had adhered a BIT to the truth! Beethoven's life was interesting enough without having to play fast and loose with it, and putting in gratutious sex bordering on the pornographic. It's a pity that those who know little about the real Beethoven may take this Suchet-monster to be the real thing. No, I did not use any of his books at toilet paper. I would not put such a thing close to my person.

[Rod]

Originally posted by AlteGrafin:
I am indeed disgusted to learn that Suchet is pursuing his attempt to drag Beethoven in the gutter...

I believe Suchet's latest effort is on this occasion a factual biography. I haven't read his B novels, not really interested in that sort of thing. But your's is the most scathing critique of these books I've read!



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"If I were but of noble birth..." - Rod Corkin

[AlteGrafin]

Maybe one reason I'm so critical of Suchet is because I've spent more than 45 years researching Beethoven's life, and it's hard not to get a sense of the man after that long. He would be appalled at the way Suchet portrays him. I cringe at the thought of a "factual" biography by this man. I can't imagine him doing anything but repeating the same old mythe, or pulling a "Solomon" and making up some outlandish theory that everyone will find utterly brilliant.

[Suzie]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Michael:
[B] My son was about twenty (two years ago) when he suddenly developed his Beethoven obsession, and the Suchet books triggered it off. As I said, they are very well-written and packed with historical facts, but they are novels, and a lot of material is invented but, as Suchet himself states, there is nothing in them that could not have happened.
In reading the books, I came across a lot of incidents I had read of in biographies, but the fictitious scenes are hard to spot unless you are an expert. There was one scene in particular which I was convinced was invented until I found out later it was completely true.
What was wrong with the B programme Suchet presented? He always comes across very well and is a total out and out Beethoven freak (in his own words)
Michael

I guess I disagree with the novelization part. If I want something made up about B, I'll do it myself. My impression of B as a person is not the same as his. I haven't seen it in ages, though. I'd have to see it again to give you some detail, which I'm not motivated to do. Not with Thayer and Grove on the coffee table. There is an awful lot of crap out there. I myself was triggered by Solomon and now I can't bear to look at the book (along with the IB movie as you all know).

Suz

[Tashibabes]

Maybe one reason I'm so critical of Suchet is because I've spent more than 45 years researching Beethoven's life, and it's hard not to get a sense of the man after that long.

hmmm.... you spent 45 years researching so how come your a junior member? If you don't think S captures the personality of B...then who do you think does....you? Please share all.I think its great that S is introducing intellectual people like B to a wider audience...and creating interest. People have become interested in the great man as opposed to being bored by him.....surely thats a GOOD thing? Having met him on a few occasions he has come across as an extremely intellectual man, who has been further supported by many proffessional Beethoven enthusiasts including the Beethoven departments in America. I don't think he is someone who would make a public mockery out of himself....as he is a news reader.

[Chris]

Originally posted by Tashibabes:
hmmm.... you spent 45 years researching so how come your a junior member?

Junior Member and Member are determined simply by the number of posts you have on this message board. Once a user makes 50 posts, he becomes a Member.

[Suzie]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Chris:
[B] Junior Member and Member are determined simply by the number of posts you have on this message board. Once a user makes 50 posts, he becomes a Member.

I think I should be a member because of my distinguished age. Plus I should get brownie points for all my posts on the old forum and for tussling with dear Leo.

[Peter]

[quote]Originally posted by Suzie:
[b]

Originally posted by Chris:
Junior Member and Member are determined simply by the number of posts you have on this message board. Once a user makes 50 posts, he becomes a Member.

I think I should be a member because of my distinguished age. Plus I should get brownie points for all my posts on the old forum and for tussling with dear Leo.

You are of course an honoured member already dear Suzie! As for your distinguished age, you are of course referring to the number of years you have been posting on Beethoven forums, beginning no doubt with edepot where despite its sad demise many of us originally met! As for Leo, he is actually a member of our forum, though he hasn't posted for many months - You have reminded me to contact him and see how the dear soul is coping with life!

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'Man know thyself'

[AlteGrafin]

If you don't think S captures the personality of B...then who do you think does....you?

No novelization, that is for sure. No, not ME. I think George Marek was a superior biographer, and the views of Breuning, Ries and Wegeler, who actually knew Beethoven, give us a great deal of understanding of his personality. There is also no substitute for Beethoven's own letters, which provide insights that do not need the sometimes biased commentaries of biographers. Please share all.

>>I think its great that S is introducing intellectual people like B to a wider audience...and creating interest.

The same was said of Bernard Rose's film, but that did not make it less wretched. Barbara Nichol's "Beethoven Lives Upstairs" was far more accurate, even though technically it was a "children's story."

Sorry, but if the only way people can gain an interest in Beethoven is for him to be the star of a soap opera who engages in sexual escapades and other tittilating (but untrue) scenarios, then I'd just as soon he remain uninteresting. His character deserves better than such treatment.

>> People have become interested in the great man as opposed to being bored by him.....

WHAT in Beethoven's REAL life was boring?

>>Having met him on a few occasions he has come across as an extremely intellectual man, who has been further supported by many proffessional Beethoven enthusiasts including the Beethoven departments in America.

Ah, but they also support the likes of Solomon, so I am hardly impressed by THEIR opinion. Suchet actually believes Beethoven would be grateful for the way he portrayed him. I think Beethoven is waiting for Suchet to die so he can punch him in the nose.

>> I don't think he is someone who would make a public mockery out of himself....as he is a news reader.

He wanted to write a sensational novel. He decided to pick on Beethoven. Well, Beethoven's been other people's victim before and has survived so I suppose I shouldn't worry.

[Suzie]

Originally posted by AlteGrafin:
If you don't think S captures the personality of B...then who do you think does....you?

No novelization, that is for sure. No, not ME. I think George Marek was a superior biographer, and the views of Breuning, Ries and Wegeler, who actually knew Beethoven, give us a great deal of understanding of his personality. There is also no substitute for Beethoven's own letters, which provide insights that do not need the sometimes biased commentaries of biographers. Please share all.

>>I think its great that S is introducing intellectual people like B to a wider audience...and creating interest.

The same was said of Bernard Rose's film, but that did not make it less wretched. Barbara Nichol's "Beethoven Lives Upstairs" was far more accurate, even though technically it was a "children's story."

Sorry, but if the only way people can gain an interest in Beethoven is for him to be the star of a soap opera who engages in sexual escapades and other tittilating (but untrue) scenarios, then I'd just as soon he remain uninteresting. His character deserves better than such treatment.

>> People have become interested in the great man as opposed to being bored by him.....

WHAT in Beethoven's REAL life was boring?

>>Having met him on a few occasions he has come across as an extremely intellectual man, who has been further supported by many proffessional Beethoven enthusiasts including the Beethoven departments in America.

Ah, but they also support the likes of Solomon, so I am hardly impressed by THEIR opinion. Suchet actually believes Beethoven would be grateful for the way he portrayed him. I think Beethoven is waiting for Suchet to die so he can punch him in the nose.

>> I don't think he is someone who would make a public mockery out of himself....as he is a news reader.

He wanted to write a sensational novel. He decided to pick on Beethoven. Well, Beethoven's been other people's victim before and has survived so I suppose I shouldn't worry.

Right on!
S

<font color = green>Edited to fix quote tag.

Chris</font>

[This message has been edited by Chris (edited 03-01-2002).]