"If Mozart and Haydn were suddenly brought to the present, they would be astounded that we are still listening to their works... Beethoven] would not be surprised in the least. He would expect it." -Dean Corey Beethoven: The Late Great-Thirty-Three Personal Variations is a curated exploration of the greatest composer who ever lived. Through this compilation of thirty-three variations made up of lectures, interviews, poetry, memoirs, letters and essays, Philharmonic Society President and Artistic Director Dean Corey shares with us his vision of Ludwig van Beethoven by delving into Beethoven's late period-a time marked by deep, personal expression and a pioneering intellectual depth-with his own meditations and reflections. These personal variations depict Dean's lifelong devotion to music and his experiences and relationship with Beethoven throughout his career as a musician and arts leader. As one of classical music's most famous composers, Ludwig van Beethoven's name immediately summons timeless melodies from his powerful symphonic works, demanding piano repertoire, and gorgeous chamber and choral compositions. Beethoven set the bar high, not only for himself and his performers, but also for the legions to follow. His musical legacy lives on through his works (whose universal themes remain meaningful to this day), and through the works of composers who came after him and all those influenced and inspired by his greatness. "This book is about listening to music] more intelligently and emotionally." -Timothy Mangan "One great man and musician is going to introduce you to a buddy of his, another great man and musician." -Michael Levin