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CHOICE Review

As a reference tool, this guide is a significant addition to the Beethoven bibliography. It functions handily as a one-volume Beethoven encyclopedia, offering up-to-date information on most aspects of Beethoven's life and works, thereby saving the reader hours of research going from one source to another. The sheer accumulation of facts is impressive, particularly given more unusual fare such as the family tree and all Viennese residencies. Invaluable are the remarks on the status of current research. In general, however, this is not, as Cooper himself states, a place to look for in-depth commentary or focused insights on the music. Given the scope of the book, the four authors, of whom Cooper is the preeminent scholar, are content to provide general summaries. Now and then, this plan is not advantageous, as for example, in the slightly superficial sections on reception and performance practice. Any weaknesses are, however, more than balanced by strengths, such as the inclusion of material on all of Beethoven's music, even his unfinished works, and an overview chapter on the Beethoven literature. Excellent select bibliography. Highly recommended for all public and academic libraries.-M. N. Cheng, Colgate University