The New Hess Catalog of Beethoven's Works

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Summary: An old classic updated in English for the modern age
Review: The Hess catalog has been out of print for nearly 50 years and never before available in English. It would have been an achievement merely to translate the book into English and publish it, but editor James F. Green has not only done so in an admirable translation, but has thoroughly and painstakingly updated the work to make it immediately useful to any Beethoven scholar or music lover interested in Beethoven's less-well-known compositions. For the sticklers, Green has thoughtfully kept his own commentary clearly separated from Hess' original, so it's always clear which voice is speaking. Green's writing is highly readable and well-researched. It's an attractive and essential volume in a durable binding that belongs in every music library. It would be a bargain at twice the price.