Rising above adversity to create works of great artistry, Ludwig van Beethoven became one of the most acclaimed composers of all time. In Search of Beethoven, a splendid documentary by Phil Grabsky, gives viewers a fascinating look at the troubled life and amazing compositions of this musical genius.

Happily, Grabsky uses a format I appreciated so much in his previous documentary, In Search of Mozart. No gimmicks, simply straightforward chronological storytelling with Beethoven’s music at the center of the film. Music historians and some of the world’s most acclaimed musicians comment on each piece selected for this outstanding documentary. As with In Search of Mozart, the highlights here involve watching and listening to gifted musicians like pianist Helene Grimaud perform Beethoven’s works. Just take a look at this list of performers recruited by Grabsky -- Claudio Abbado, Emanuel Ax, Jonathan Bliss, Ronald Bruligam, Frans Bruggen, Riccardo Chailly, Janine Jansen, the Endellion String Quartedt, the Orchestra of the 18th Century, and so many more. Among the numerous Beethoven selections included in Grabsky’s film are: Pathetique, Moonlight Sonata, the Ninth Symphony, Fur Elise, Eroica, and Fidelio (Beethoven’s only opera).

According to one of the pianists interviewed, because of Beethoven’s tremendous skill as a pianist as well as a composer, he created some highly difficult piano pieces -- and probably wrote sections that only he could play. That’s just one of the many interesting facts about Beethoven I learned from Grabsky’s informative film. But what impresses me most about Beethoven’s life is the way he dealt with the serious challenges he faced, including his hearing deterioration. An alcoholic father, a custody battle, lengthy illnesses, paramour problems, financial crises -- and finally, total deafness would surely have defeated a normal person. But, even though Beethoven went through bouts of depression and was almost a social pariah near the end of his life, he maintained his love affair with his art. And Beethoven’s music continued to reflect his passionate emotions. Lucky for us!

About those paramours, it’s not difficult to feel sympathy for a “commoner” who kept falling for women of noble birth. They may have loved him back, but in Beethoven’s world, nobles and commoners did not marry. In Search of Beethoven gives us a peek at which woman may have been Beethoven’s “Immortal Beloved.”    

I confess being hooked now on Grabsky’s In Search of documentaries. Here’s hoping he continues to offer viewers such high quality films about the world’s greatest composers.

(Released by Seventh Art Productions; not rated by MPAA.)

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