AllMovie

This documentary tells the story of the man who many think was the greatest composer who ever lived. Narrated by Andre Previn, the film chronicles Beethoven's illustrious musical career and stormy personal life. Born in Germany in 1770, he showed an early interest in music and was tutored first by Mozart and then by Haydn. He soon rose to become the preeminent composer of his day, bringing his Romantic sensibility to music, creating orchestral works of unprecedented power and dynamism. Like many Romantics, Beethoven was an idealistic supporter of the French Revolution and dedicated his Eroica Symphony to the young Napoleon. He later became disenchanted when Napoleon made himself emperor in contradiction to the revolution's egalitarian ideals. The film gives insight into Beethoven's inspiring triumph over his humiliation from incurable deafness, which struck him at the height of his career. Andre Previn conducts Symphony No. 7 and excerpts from Symphony No. 5.