Music Critic Matthew Guerrieri Discusses Beethoven at The Greenwich Library on Nov. 27

Dun, dun, dun, dunnnn. You probably just put those syllables to the tune of the first four notes of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony, one of the most popular musical phrases of all time, without even realizing you were doing it. Boston Globe music critic Matthew Guerrieri wrote a book called The First Four Notes about the world Beethoven came into and examines what may have influenced him to compose the Fifth. He also asserts that Beethoven was not deaf when he wrote the piece, as is popularly accepted, and traces its influence in China, Russia and the United States. He'll be at the Greenwich Library Tuesday night to discuss.

By Mike Sembos

November 19, 2012