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Love, Rage and Altered States:
Beethoven's Mind and Music
A stunning collaboration of virtuoso Justin Kolb and author/psychiatrist, François Martin Mai
How is Beethoven's personality and emotional state reflected in his music?
Beethoven was a passionate man who wore his emotions on his sleeve. Joy, grief, love, rage and elation are some of the emotions that he experienced in his everyday life; moods that also are easily heard in his music.
This unusual recital-performance, featuring dynamic readings and music, is based on the research that led to the publication of François Mai's book Diagnosing Genious: The Life and Death of Beethoven. It will make you laugh and cause you to consider.
Mai enthusiastically reads extracts from his book and describes in colorful narrative anecdotes from Beethoven's life. Kolb performs excerpts of Beethoven's music selected specifically to express the emotion portrayed in the readings. Complete piano works will also be performed.
The performance can last from 45 to 90 minutes depending on the needs of the audience and the situation.
"François Martin Mai is a psychiatrist who has written an excellent book describing Ludwig van Beethoven's life, health problems, and how his illness may have affected his creativity."
– New England Journal of Medicine
"Diagnosing Genius will strike a chord with anyone interested in music, medical history, medical mystery, and the connection between creativity and disease. Bravo!"
— Journal of the American Medical Association
Beethoven Festival
"Of the performances this listener heard, the liveliest was Justin Kolb's precisely articulated reading of the C major (Op. 2, No. 3)."
Allan Kozinn, New York Times
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