In Search of Beethoven (ATOM Study Guide)

In Search of Beethoven, acclaimed director Phil Grabsky's featurelength biographical film about the life and music of Ludwig van Beethoven, is quite simply – like the subject it chronicles – brilliant. Demonstrating an astounding depth of research, coupled with a great feel for the music and a sense of how best to capture its spirit on film, Grabsky brings together the world's leading performers and experts on Beethoven to reveal new insights into this legendary composer. Fascinating biographical information is united with extracts from the composer's letters and, of course, the music in a film that is never less than compelling.

Grabsky is unrivalled in his ability to capture the power and essence of live performance. Alongside riveting interviews with a host of historians and musicians who have devoted their professional lives to exploring Beethoven's world and work, the filmmaker shot an astounding fifty-five performances for In Search of Beethoven . This is one film definitely worth owning on DVD: many performances that we see and hear as extracts in the film appear as complete works in the DVD extras. (For example, the Endellion String Quartet gave Grabsky's crew exclusive access to film a number of complete Beethoven quartets.)

In Search of Beethoven examines the romantic myths that swirl around the titanic figure of Beethoven. We often think of him as a heroic and tormented man, cursed with a tragic fate – rendered deaf when all his life was devoted to the creation of sound; passionately devoted to his Immortal Beloved and yet alone and loveless for most of his days. Grabsky challenges the popular idea of the genius composer as a bitter and cantankerous figure in a portrait that is detailed, authoritative, comprehensive and ultimately deeply moving.

This outstanding and inspiring film has particular relevance to middle and senior secondary Music Appreciation, Music Performance, History, SOSE/HSIE and English.