Three terrific new endorsements in advance of publication

 

“Do we really need another book about Beethoven? A resounding ‘Yes!’ if it is Howard Jay Smith’s concerto quasi una fantasia, Beethoven in Love, Opus 139. Smith’s novel abandons the assumed and fabricated ‘truths’ of the Beethoven life, and prefers to bring in outsiders--especially Napoleon himself--into the mix. This is a Beethoven of the imagination: irascible, argumentative, difficult, and yet passionate and tender. Smith treats Beethoven like the human he was, augments the faults, diminishes the virtues, and the resultant humanity only serves to create an even larger larger-than-life hero. The ‘untamed personality’ that Goethe used to describe Beethoven is here in full.”   --Douglas Dutton, Professor of Music, LACC, SMC, The Colburn School of Performing Arts Los Angeles, CA, formerly owner of Dutton's Books
 

“Beethoven in Love; Opus 139 is a great pleasure, and a beguiling fictional interpretation of the tragedies and extraordinary accomplishments of one of the greatest composers in history, a novel that reminds us of Beethoven’s true genius—and his humanity.”   --Nir Kabaretti, Conductor and Artistic Director of the Santa Barbara Symphony

 

“Beethoven in Love; Opus 139: Concerto Quasi Una Fantasia is a welcome addition to the myriad poems, novels, short stories, and dramas inspired by the composer and his music. The novel’s portrayal of Beethoven as he reflects on life, comes to terms with imminent death, and longs for one day of pure joy is a captivating blend of biography, history, philosophy, music, and fantasy. The author’s imaginative approach encourages the reader to take a fresh look at Beethoven the man and discover new significance in his music.”   --Donna Beckage, Ph.D., author of “Beethoven in Literature”