The Immortal Beloved Compendium, written in the light of the latest research into this perennially fascinating figure, is the key to a full understanding of Beethoven. It includes copious extracts from the composer's and his contemporaries' letters and diaries, providing first-hand evidence of his personality. Clear and concise commentaries illuminate the sources that document Beethoven's love life. This is an indispensable guide, a standard reference work on Beethoven, a constant source of elucidation and enjoyment. An exciting journey through musical literature, this Compendium summarizes the most authoritative current thinking on Beethoven's "Immortal Beloved" in a digest of succinct and easily accessible sections. Each chapter is a cornucopia of information on every aspect of this topic. "Rigorously meticulous and objective, this book is indispensable to scholars as well as fascinating to amateurs and will be of greatest interest and value to all music lovers." (The Classical Musicologist)