In search of Beethoven

Run time

139 minutes

Language

English, Dutch subtitles

Director

Phil Grabsky

This film is shown in regular cinema format (no giant screen dome).

Suitable for all ages

Director Phil Grabsky travelled across Europe and North America to interview historians and musicians between rehearsals and performances. He managed to film a remarkable 65 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, Vienna Symphony with Fabio Luisi, violinists Vadim Repin, Janine Jansen or pianists Leif Ove Andsnes, Ronald Brautigam, Jonathan Biss, Emanuel Ax, Lars Vogt and cellist Alban Gerhardt reveal their unique approach and share their passions. The Endellion String Quartet gave exclusive access to film a number of complete Beethoven quartets.