I saw this link posted on another website. It's non-piano related, but I thought it might of interest to others here. It's newspaper write-up of Peter Davies' book on Beethoven's health:

"Davies, who was a gastronenterologist, has always had an interest in suffering, and "Beethoven is the suffering composer par excellence". He was attracted to the idea of applying his medical skills to Mozart and Beethoven to better understand how their health and moods affected their music...Peter Davies' second volume on Beethoven, out later this year, is devoted to the composer's moods, particularly his problem with melancholia and depression, and includes 12 pages on his favorite foods, which included parmesan cheese, bread soup, oysters and fish. The third volume looks at Beethoven's relationship with women."

I wasn't aware of Davies' work, but it sounds interesting. Here's the link:
http://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/2001/09/19/FFX7O2IORRC.html

[ September 28, 2001: Message edited by: netizen ]

Netizen;
Thanks for the heads up on these books. It will take me a few months but eventually I'll get these books and review them. Seems fascinating.