Beethoven in China: How the Great Composer Became an Icon in the People's Republic: Penguin Specials

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At the turn of the twentieth century, students returning from abroad introduced Beethoven to China. The composer's perseverance in the face of adversity and his musical genius resonated in a nation searching for a way forward. Beethoven remained a durable part of Chinese life in the decades that followed, becoming an icon to intellectuals, music fans and party cadres alike, playing a role in major historical events from the May Fourth Movement to the normalisation of US-China relations. Jindong Cai, whose love for the musician began during the Cultural Revolution, and culture journalist Sheila Melvin tell the compelling story of Beethoven and the Chinese people. Beethoven in China Penguin Specials CONTENTS ALSO BY JINDONG CAI AND SHEILA MELVIN BY SHEILA MELVIN Jindong’s Preface I A New Sage for China ‘The Romantic Patriot’, Li Shutong The May Fourth Generation II The Sound of Beethoven Foreign Foundations Great Aspirations III A Friend to All Who Struggle The Shared Passion of Fu Lei and Romain Rolland Vie de Beethoven Jean-Christophe IV The Challenge of Ideology Bourgeois Beethoven Revolutionary Beethoven V Leaning to One Side Lenin’s Passion A Socialist Beethoven for China Capitalist Beethoven vs Socialist Beethoven The Ninth and the Tenth VI Dark Night of the Soul Old Bei Heroic Souls VII Triumph of the Spirit Hidden Beethoven VIII Beethoven Fever Beethoven Rolls Over Bridge to the World Sheila’s Epilogue NOTES PHOTOGRAPHS Radish: Sneakpeek Radish: Chapter One Imprint