No other composer has been so often quoted, written about, adopted for political and revolutionary causes (ranging from Marxism to fascism) and painted, but who was the real Beethoven? Who was the man behind the romantic image of the tortured artist with the unruly hair, unhinged personality and furrowed brow?

This film will explore the truth behind the many layers of myth and legend surrounding a man hailed not only as the world's first truly independent composer, but also the most important.

Narrated by Juliet Stevenson and young RSC actor David Dawson, this biographical film brings together the world’s leading performers and experts on Beethoven to reveal new insights into this legendary composer’s life through his musical output. Director Phil Grabsky travels across Europe and North America to interview historians and musicians between rehearsals and performances, documents each piece of music chronologically marrying it to Beethoven’s biography and letters.

Featuring exclusive interviews and performances by:

Leif Ove Andsnes
Emanuel Ax
Kristian Bezuidenhout
Jonathan Biss
Ronald Brautigam
Riccardo Chailley
Barry Cooper
Jonathan Del Mar
Albert Dohmen
Cliff Eisen
Christian Gerhaher
Alban Gerhardt
Helene Grimaud
Richard Harwood
Janine Jansen
Hebe Jeffrey
Christine Kondgen
Chris Kraus
Louis Langree
Paul Lewis
Fabio Luisi
Nicholas Marston
Sir Roger Norrington
Bayan Northcott
Gianandrea Noseda
Vadim Repin
Ilona Schmiel
Lars Vogt
David Waterman
Salzburg Camerata
Orchestra of 18th Century
Swedish Chamber Orchestra
Endellion String Quartet
Norrkoping Symphony Orchestra
Vienna Symphony Orchestra
Gewandhausorchester