Angus Watson graduated in Gaelic from Aberdeen University and completed a PhD at St Andrews University. He is a published writer of Gaelic short stories and currently lives in France.
As sort of Baedecker guide for travelling the immense continent of Beethoven's chamber works, it provides an excellent occasion for a guided chronological hearing of his music. (...) revealing and rewarding. AMERICAN RECORD GUIDEIt's a pleasure to encounter this book... (Watson's) vibrant descriptions of formally titled and essentially abstract pieces give them a face that anyone new to or perplexed by Beethoven's creations might find helpful. (...) all who are smitten by Beethoven's music are in for a treat. GRAMOPHONE(Watson's) lucid, intrepid chronicle is an absorbing read, so beautifully written and intellectually involving that it might be a 300-page essay. The wealth of insight and details Watson provides ensures that any reader's enjoyment of Beethoven will be substantially improved. For musicians, this is an essential handbook. STRINGS You too can become a Beethoven expert (...) with Angus Watson's lucid, intrepid chronicle of how the music came to be, what makes it tick, and why we keep listening to and playing it. (...) In addition (...) Watson provides the kind of color commentary that most pre-concert lecturers only dream about. HUFFINGTON POST (E)ven readers thoroughly familiar with these works will find something of interest here on practically every one of them, in Watson's compact but incisive descriptions, his enthusiastic tone, and his engaging historical material. MUSIC & LETTERSThis volume comprehends nearly the entirety of Beethoven's chamber output. (...) It offers perhaps the only English language coverage of this same territory, and the biographical material seems admirably up-to-date. (...) Recommended. CHOICE Watson writes very well indeed, perceptively, without a hint of dryness, and aided by a generous number of music examples. (...) This book deserves a whole-hearted recommendation. CLASSICAL MUSICBeethoven's Chamber Music in Context (...) is an excellent, comprehensive, authoritative and extremely enjoyable study of a subject about which most readers are sure to emerge bthoritative and extremely enjoyable study of a subject about which most readers are sure to emerge better i