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Steven Isserlis
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Why Beethoven Threw the Stew (And Lots More Stories about the Lives of Great Composers) Paperback – October 8, 2001

by Steven Isserlis (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 168 ratings
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In Why Beethoven Threw the Stew, renowned cellist Steven Isserlis sets out to pass on to children a wonderful gift given to him by his own cello teacher - the chance to people his own world with the great composers by getting to know them as friends. Witty and informative at the same time, Isserlis introduces us to six of his favorite composers: the sublime genius Bach, the quicksilver Mozart, Beethoven with his gruff humor, the shy Schumann, the prickly Brahms and that extraordinary split personality, Stravinsky. Isserlis brings the composers alive in an irresistible manner that can't fail to catch the attention of any child whose ear has been caught by any of the music described, or anyone entering the world of classical music for the first time. The lively black and white line illustrations provide a perfect accompaniment to the text, and make this book attractive and accessible for children to enjoy on their own or share with an adult.
Previous page
  1. Reading age
    7 - 8 years
  2. Print length
    144 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    3 - 4
  5. Dimensions
    5 x 0.5 x 7.75 inches
  6. Publisher
    Faber & Faber
  7. Publication date
    October 8, 2001
  8. ISBN-10
    0571206166
  9. ISBN-13
    978-0571206162
  10. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Why Beethoven Threw the Stew

Why did Bach's son call him 'The Old Wig'?
What part did Stravinsky's parrot play at dinner parties?
How did Mozart keep his pigtails styled?
What did Schumann invent to make his fingers stronger?
And why did Beethoven throw his stew?

This book is a unique introduction for children to the world of classical composers and their music.

Famous cellist Steven Isserlis brings six of his favorite composers to life in an irresistible manner, painting hilarious biographical portraits of each of them and describing their music in lively detail. Packed with facts, dates, anecdotes and illustrations, Why Beethoven Threw the Stew is an attractive and accessible read for children (and their parents!).

From the Back Cover

Why Beethoven Threw the Stew

Why did Bach's son call him 'The Old Wig'?
What part did Stravinsky's parrot play at dinner parties?
How did Mozart keep his pigtails styled?
What did Schumann invent to make his fingers stronger?
And why did Beethoven throw his stew?

This book is a unique introduction for children to the world of classical composers and their music.

Famous cellist Steven Isserlis brings six of his favorite composers to life in an irresistible manner, painting hilarious biographical portraits of each of them and describing their music in lively detail. Packed with facts, dates, anecdotes and illustrations, Why Beethoven Threw the Stew is an attractive and accessible read for children (and their parents!).

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Faber & Faber (October 8, 2001)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 144 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0571206166
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0571206162
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 7 - 8 years
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 3 - 4
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5 x 0.5 x 7.75 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 168 ratings

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Steven Isserlis

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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
168 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Nadine Deleury
5.0 out of 5 stars The best and most fun way for kids (and adults) to learn about these composers!
Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2010
Verified Purchase
I am a professional adult musician and still learned a lot by reading Steven Isserlis' book! He has a way to make you close to the composer. You feel that you really know what kind of person the composer was after you read the chapter about him. And Isserlis is VERY witty from his first line of About the Author: "I was born at an early age"(!), you know that this is going to be fun to read. I bought a few copies that I am passing among my students (and their parents). I highly recommend it to anyone, really. His second book is on another group of composers, written in the same style: true and checked facts about the composers, in a very entertaining style!
14 people found this helpful
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KateVictoria
5.0 out of 5 stars Witty and Delightful Composer Bio Book like no other!
Reviewed in the United States on April 18, 2018
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This is the first composer bio book by Isserlis, but they are not sequential in order. These books are very humorous and my 11 year old daughter is delighted by them. The author is incredibly engaging and my daughter loves how he writes directly to the reader. We have other books around with composer bios but these books are well worth getting. The facts contained are above the ordinary and so kindly, delightfully, and engagingly written. Steven's humor and kindness shine through. My daughter remarked about how he was even able to make sad events in the composer's lives enjoyable to read. Bravo Mr. Isserlis!!
3 people found this helpful
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Old Brown Shoes
5.0 out of 5 stars chock full of useful knowledge and information
Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2015
Verified Purchase
This is an entertaining book, chock full of useful knowledge and information, written by a musician who is thoroughly skilled as a cellist and classical/romantic era performer. He really brings the personality and interpersonal dynamics of the composers and their contemporaries into symbiotic dynamism--I love the story about Brahms coming to live in the Schumann's home and carrying on like a teenage acrobat, leaping from bannister to bannister. I recommend this book for elementary school children through adults, it is easy to read and has discrete sections laid out with good continuity as he lays out the composers/performers in a linear form.
2 people found this helpful
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Brittany Francis
4.0 out of 5 stars Informative book, but not meant for children
Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2019
Verified Purchase
I bought this in hope of using it in my elementary music classroom, based on recommendations that this was a children's book and a great introduction to music history for kids. I could never use this in a classroom of young children! I was very surprised when I started reading the first chapter and it started talking about drinking and love affairs. There are many sexual innuendos in the book that would go over children's heads, but are still inappropriate for the age group it is recommended for. Also the language seems like it would be really tough for an elementary student to understand. The chapter on Stravinsky is all about him cheating on his wife with the woman who ends up as his second wife. The book was great otherwise, just not geared towards children. I would give this to a late middle school or high school class as an introduction to music history, as the book was very interesting, and that age group would be able to handle the more adult topics better.
40 people found this helpful
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Fred Shoppin
5.0 out of 5 stars Funny for adults too
Reviewed in the United States on September 12, 2018
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Perhaps I have not progressed beyond the age of 12 when it comes to humor, but I thoroughly enjoyed the book. I am an amateur classical musician with a deep knowledge of many of the composers, but from the moment I picked up this book I knew it would be different. Funny, lots of inside stories I had never heard. Isserlis is also funny on Twitter.
One person found this helpful
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woodland cello
5.0 out of 5 stars Informal, chatty style, "off the beaten path" stories about composers
Reviewed in the United States on September 19, 2016
Verified Purchase
Just started a new teaching job teaching general music. This book is great for gathering fun facts to make music appealing and pertinent to young people. It would be fun to read out loud to older grades (perhaps 3rd and up) as well. A fun read for anyone interested in composers.
7 people found this helpful
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Freja
5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating and fun to read
Reviewed in the United States on June 27, 2014
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This book reveals small details of the composers' lives that you might not find in serious biographies. Their storeis are presented in a very personal way, as it you were talking to someone who knew them well...and in fact, you are. Steven Isserlis is a world-renowned concert pianist. Very well-written book that just races along as he acquaints you with the composers.
2 people found this helpful
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Kristen A Atkins
5.0 out of 5 stars It's written in a very funny manner that keeps you wanting more
Reviewed in the United States on December 5, 2014
Verified Purchase
This is a fabulous book for young adolescents and adults. It's written in a very funny manner that keeps you wanting more. My favorite aspect is at the end of each chapter there's a section on what pieces of music to start with and what to listen for in each piece. This is a gem of a book for novices and young musicians.
2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Makushika
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 15, 2020
Verified Purchase
Absolutely brilliant book full of clever tuns in story, anecdotes, and just so interesting to read, even for an adult professional classical musician. A must have book for young and old musicians, music lovers- alike. Our son (11yrs) loves this and so do I.
One person found this helpful
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Cliente Amazon
5.0 out of 5 stars Actualidad
Reviewed in Spain on January 20, 2019
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Todo perfecto
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Irmgard Busch
5.0 out of 5 stars KÖSTLICHE KURZBIOGRAPHIEN
Reviewed in Germany on August 28, 2017
Verified Purchase
Wenn ein leidenschaftlicher, pädagogisch engagierter Cellist den Bogen mit der Feder vertauscht, entstehen schwungvolle tiefschürfende Texte, die sich so schön lesen wie die Musik der beschriebenen Komponisten klingt. Eine absolut empfehlenswerte Lektüre für junge Musiker bzw deren Lehrer und Eltern!
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Giubal
5.0 out of 5 stars Non solo per ragazzi
Reviewed in Italy on May 22, 2017
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Isserlis è un bravo musicista, discendente da una stirpe di musicisti. Con questo libro molto originale e simpatico intrattiene i lettori presentando le vite dei più grandi compositori. Siamo a metà strada fra la biografia ed il pettegolezzo. Il tutto con un taglio umoristico, ma comunque rispettoso dei grandi geni che hanno regalato opere meravigliose all'umanità. Questo libro è un lodevole tentativo di suscitare l'amore per la musica fra le nuove generazioni. Inizialmente il testo sembra rivolto ai ragazzi, ma piacerà ai lettori di tutte le età.
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Amazon カスタマー
4.0 out of 5 stars 教材としても
Reviewed in Japan on August 3, 2017
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大変興味深くわかりやすく愉しめた！英語の教材としてもクラシック音楽の入門としても子供にも最適
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