In 1823, H+H offered Ludwig van Beethoven a commission to compose an oratorio for Boston, but Beethoven never responded. Leave it to British novelist Paul Griffiths to conjure Beethoven completing the work and attending its world premiere by H+H. Join us for this lively conversation with the author about his imaginative tale of Beethoven in Boston, hosted by The Boston Globe book critic Michael Patrick Brady.

"A novel of great wit and empathy, one that provides a deep insight into the composition of both classical music and historical literature through playful, inventive prose."
– The Boston Globe

“Mr. Beethoven is the work of a skillful and imaginative writer, gifted at evoking the sights and sounds, the custom and attire, of an earlier era."
– Wall Street Journal

Join our livestream panelists:

Paul Griffiths, the author of Mr. Beethoven
Michael Patrick Brady, moderator, and literary critic for The Boston Globe who recently reviewed Mr. Beethoven (read the review here)
David Snead, President and CEO, Handel and Haydn Society
Dr. Teresa Neff, H+H Historically Informed Performance Fellow

Recorded Thursday, January 20, 2022