Why Beethoven News Today

Two new books about Beethoven and Mozart refer us back to the composers’ works directly—with mixed results.

Our columnists and reporters’ top picks, from a 16th-century treatise to a ’90s fantasy novel.

Ludwig van Beethoven had a profound faith in God. He was born and raised a Catholic and on his deathbed he asked to receive the Last Rites. He told the priest, ‘I thank you, ghostly sir – you have brought me comfort.’ One of his closest friends, Archduke Rudolf of Austria, was made a cardinal

He was inspired to write musical masterpieces by the women he loved - but Ludwig van Beethoven died a virgin, a major biography claims.

The identity of the muse for Für Elise<em> </em>has long puzzled experts. A new book suggests it was named by someone else, after the composer’s death