Beethoven was a political composer. He doggedly dedicated his art to issues of human freedom, justice, progress and community. The Third Symphony, probably Beethoven's most influential work, revolves around a funeral march provoking the patriotic ceremonies of the French Revolution. Beethoven was a long-time admirer of Napoleon Bonaparte. He therefore dedicated the symphony to Napoleon, but when Napoleon was proclaimed emperor of France, he crossed out the dedication to Napoleon. This symphony is cited as the landmark end of Beethoven's classical era and the beginning of musical romanticism. But what about Beethoven after Napoleon? Beethoven's life and music took a turn for the worse after the composition of the Third Symphony due to his reaction to Napoleon's arrival as emperor, his deafness, and his personal and family difficulties. Beethoven not only erased the dedication to Napoleon in the Third Symphony. He became disgusted and walked towards the table where the completed score was located. He grabbed the title page and scratched Bonaparte's name so violently with a knife that he shouted....