In Search of Beethoven

A moving, personal account of John Suchet’s lifelong quest to understand Beethoven the man.

A PRESTO BOOK OF THE YEAR 2024



‘From palaces to warzones, John Suchet goes on a Beethoven odyssey’ The Daily Telegraph

‘This personal account of his life-long passion has an appealing light touch’ Financial Times Best Books of the Year

‘This is a wonderful tale of self-realisation, of what we can gain from turning to genius in life's many crises.’ Norman Lebrecht, author of Why Beethoven

From the bestselling author of Beethoven: The Man Revealed, In Search of Beethoven is John Suchet’s latest and most personal book dedicated to the life of this extraordinary composer. Part biography, part memoir, part travelogue, Suchet draws on his own life and career as a foreign correspondent and news anchor to show how Beethoven’s music has accompanied him through the best and worst of times. It was with him as a music-loving and adventurous teenager, as a journalist entering Beirut in the grip of civil war, and as he has continued to explore the old cities of Bonn and Vienna, in search of the man behind the music.

In this novel and compelling book, we see Beethoven brought vividly – and sometimes painfully – to life. Suchet traces Beethoven’s footsteps from his early years in Bonn to his dying days in Vienna, taking us on a journey both literal and symbolic, as he uses his own experience as a Beethoven aficionado to demonstrate the life-changing power of great music.

‘This is a comprehensive yet accessible history of Beethoven wrapped up in an inviting, immersive tale of adventure and discovery, delivered in an inviting, engaging and endearing way typical of this master storyteller.’ Debbie Wiseman OBE, composer and conductor

‘As always, John Suchet's diligent and persuasive detective work throws new and fascinating light on seminal moments and aspects of Beethoven's life. Examples of how the composer's music sustained John himself, throughout his own life and career, add a warmth and sincerity to all he puts before us, and makes for an excellent and eye-opening read.’ Howard Shelley OBE, pianist and composer

‘This deeply moving journey with Beethoven offers unique and personal insights into this great composer, a profound presence who has accompanied John Suchet through much of his life’ John Gilhooly CBE, Artistic Director Wigmore Hall, London

‘John Suchet’s book on Beethoven is one of the most readable and informative about the composer you can find.’ Domingo Hindoyan, Chief Conductor, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra 

‘This book will inspire many to want to follow the Beethoven travelogue footsteps in the future. A gift for any Beethoven fan!’ Sandra Parr, Artistic Planning Director, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic

‘John Suchet’s unusual combination of biography and autobiography is full of fascinating details about Beethoven’s life, conveyed with enthusiasm and imagination, but cleverly dovetailed with personal reminiscences. He has tracked down numerous locations associated with Beethoven and shows how they have changed during the last 200 years. Throughout the book, Beethoven’s music hovers in the background, sometimes breaking through to reveal its tremendous power to transform lives.’ Professor Barry Cooper, University of Manchester, author of Beethoven: An Extraordinary Life

‘As curious as he is thorough, as knowledgeable as he is enthusiastic, as open hearted as he is open minded, John Suchet shares his life long passion for Beethoven and takes us on a journey of discovery through the highways and byways, the highs and lows, the dramas and rows of music’s greatest genius. This is John Suchet’s personal journey.’ Sir John Tusa, Managing Director, Barbican Centre, London

‘In Search of Beethoven is a massive achievement and a book I would urge any music lover to read.’ Sir Karl Jenkins, composer

‘You can't help but be swept away by John's infectious enthusiasm, as well as being mightily impressed by his almost unquenchable thirst for knowledge about his musical hero. This is a comprehensive yet accessible history of Beethoven wrapped up in an inviting, immersive tale of adventure and discovery, delivered in an inviting, engaging and endearing way typical of this master storyteller.’ Debbie Wiseman OBE, composer and conductor

‘This is a wonderful tale of self-realisation, of what we can gain from turning to genius in life's many crises.’ Norman Lebrecht, author of Why Beethoven

'This book has had a profound effect on me. Suchet has brought Beethoven to life.’ Carol Barratt, Hon RCM GRSM ARCM, pianist and composer

‘This is an indispensable book for every Beethoven enthusiast as well as for every performing musician.’ Dr Marios Papadopoulos, MBE, conductor and pianist



‘From palaces to warzones, John Suchet goes on a Beethoven odyssey … In Search of Beethoven records the journalist’s charmingly nerdy attempt to visit every bakery and theatre associated with the composer … He has a brilliant ability to sweet-talk his way into places associated with Beethoven that are closed to the public, such as the Lobkowicz Palace in Prague, where he’s invited to dinner with a prince’ The Daily Telegraph



‘This personal account of his life-long passion has an appealing light touch. Suchet follows in the composer’s footsteps as he visits archives, churches and city apartments on a mission of discovery that at times tells us as much about the author as his subject’ Richard Fairman, Financial Times Best Books of the Year



‘Suchet's enthusiasm is infectious, and readers will likely feel compelled to follow in his footsteps, both literally through the streets of Vienna and figuratively through Beethoven's remarkable musical landscape.’ Yorkshire Times

Before turning to classical music, John Suchet was one of the UK's best-known television journalists and newscasters, regularly presenting ITN's flagship News at Ten, as well as all other bulletins, over a period of nearly 20 years. John has been honoured for both roles. He is the author of the Sunday Times bestselling Beethoven: The Man Revealed (2012) and The Last Waltz: The Story of the Strauss Dynasty and Vienna (2015), and most recently, Tchaikovsky: The Man Revealed (2018).

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