Why Beethoven Threw the Stew

Good books on music for children are rare indeed, so the prospect of an introduction to the lives of six great composers by the remarkable cellist Steven Isserlis is a welcome one. Isserlis was born into a musical household, but it was his cello teacher Jane Cowan who really brought the composers to life for him, quoting from their letters, telling stories about them and explaining their musical jokes so that they became like familiar friends. Isserlis devotes a chapter to each of six composers - Bach, Mozart, Beethoven (inspiring the title by hurling a plate of veal in gravy at a rude waiter), Schumann, Brahms and Stravinsky - and includes description of their music as well as suggesting works that children may particularly enjoy. His musical portraits are written in a chatty and informal style that is probably most amusing and persuasive in person, but somewhat grating on the page. For so intelligent and articulate a performer, Isserlis seems strangely ill at ease with his young audience, trying perhaps a little too hard to please. However his passion for his subject is compelling and will inspire any musical child to explore the music and find out more.