In Search of Beethoven

In Search of Beethoven brings together the world's leading performers and experts on Beethoven to reveal new insights into the legendary composer.

With a glittering line-up of performers and interviewees, In Search of Beethoven takes a comprehensive look at the composer's life through his musical output. Phil Grabsky travelled across Europe and North America to interview historians and musicians between rehearsals and performances.

He managed to film a remarkable fifty-five performances for the film - and has once again captured the raw energy of these world-class artists. It includes exclusive footage of Claudio Abbado's critically-acclaimed performance of Beethoven's opera Fidelio. There are further performances from Frans Brüggen's Orchestra of the 18th Century, the Salzburg Camerata with Sir Roger Norrington, Leipzig Gewandhaus with Riccardo Chailly, and the Vienna Symphony with Fabio Luisi.

World class violinists, pianists and cellists reveal their unique approach to Beethoven's music and share their passions for the work. The Endellion String Quartet gave exclusive access to film a number of complete Beethoven quartets. Extracts appear in the film and the complete works, along with others, appear as extras on the disc.

Above all, In Search of Beethoven addresses the romantic myth that Beethoven was a heroic, tormented figure battling to overcome his tragic fate, struck down by deafness, who searched for his 'immortal beloved' but remained unmarried. It delves beyond the familiar image of the tortured, cantankerous, unhinged personality to reveal a surprising and compelling creative genius.