"Mr. Lebrecht’s reflections are as predictable as Beethoven’s music: which is to say, not at all. His chapter on the 'Kreutzer' violin sonata, one of the great chamber works of Western music, should earn him the gratitude of classical musicians everywhere.”

– Wall Street Journal

"Why Beethoven is a provocatively illuminating, occasionally scandalous survey of the recordings that shaped Beethoven's life. It makes for an exhilarating narrative that in its wake also raises several divisive cultural issues."

– Strings Magazine

"A simultaneously entertaining and informative tour of Beethoven’s work...An ideal guide to the master’s wondrous achievements."

– Kirkus, starred review

"One heck of an enjoyable read."

– BBC Music Magazine

"Norman Lebrecht has given us a lambent summing up of his adventures with Beethoven, deeply personal yet grounded in music that we know and love”

– Tim Page, winner of the 1997 Pulitzer Prize for his music criticism in the Washington Post

"An incredibly fascinating personal search for Beethoven's personality, his legacies and relevance. Lots of details and facts were new to me; many of the chapters provoked me to think even further, beyond the music and philosophy of this titan."

– Vasily Petrenko, Music Director of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

"Norman Lebrecht, in his remarkable book, shows that Beethoven has as much relevance as he always had – maybe even more in these crazy times."

– Franz Welser-Möst, Music Director of the Cleveland Orchestra

"From one of our most prolific and wide-ranging writers on music, here is a connoisseur’s guide to Beethoven recordings fleshed out with vivid bits of biography and memoir."

– Jan Swafford, author of Beethoven: Anguish and Triumph

"Lebrecht demonstrates that language need not end where music begins. Illuminating and uplifting."

– Gabriela Montero, pianist and composer