Beethoven Lives Upstairs

Rating:
Summary: Life With Beethoven.....
Review: "...I write, Uncle, because something terrible has happened. A madman has moved into our house." Young Christoph can't believe his family's misfortune with their new boarder. Mr Beethoven has rented the upstairs rooms, and the terrible noises begin at dawn. There's loud pounding and howling, stomping and crashing. Beethoven has four pianos, some without legs sitting right on the floor so that he can "hear" the vibrations of his music. His room is a mess, papers scattered everywhere, dirty dishes and clothes on every surface, and he writes on the walls. He walks the streets humming and growling, and waving his arms. Christoph is mortified, angry, and embarrassed as he asks his uncle..."I beg you to tell my mother to send Mr Beethoven away." But as the months and then years go by, Christoph's letters begin to change. He develops compassion and tolerance for this eccentric musical genius who lives upstairs, that slowly turns into respect, admiration, and true friendship..... Barbara Nichol and Scott Cameron have authored a creative and inventive story, written as correspondence between uncle and nephew, that combines history, music, and actual events during the three years Beethoven wrote his Ninth Symphony in Vienna. Christoph's intriguing and compelling letters are full of drama and tension as he tells his uncle what it's like to live with the deaf and tormented composer. His uncle, also a musician, writes back giving Christoph insight and understanding into Beethoven's life and times and famous temper. Ms Nichol's engaging and entertaining text is spellbinding and enhanced by Mr Cameron's dark, lush oil paintings. Together word and art transport you back to the 1820s, and allows the reader to spy on Beethoven as he works. Perfect for youngsters 8-12, Beethoven Lives Upstairs is an evocative and fascinating adventure about a remarkable composer that is sure to whet the appetite of budding musicians, and send them looking for more.