In Search of Beethoven (2009)
- Starring:
- Juliet Stevenson, David P. Dawson, (more)
- Director(s):
- Phil Grabsky
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- NR
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Juliet Stevenson (Truly, Madly, Deeply) narrates this straightforward documentary account of the life of composer Ludwig von Beethoven, covering all the major highlights from his birth in 1770 through his death in 1827. Writer-director Phil Grabsky skirts around the option of dramatic period reenactments, and instead opts for an impressionistic approach. He builds much of the film around the basic foundational material of interviews and studio performances of the great man's work by artists including Ronald Brautigam, Emanuel Ax, and The Mahler Chamber Orchestra. Grabsky also offsets Stevenson's traditional chronicle of Beethoven's life with letters from the composer, read by David Dawson, that unveil an intense and almost belligerent side to the musical giant, leavened with offbeat humor. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
Complete Cast:
- Juliet Stevenson - Narrator
- Ronald Brautigam - Himself
- Bayan Northcott - Himself
- Christine Köngden - Herself
- Jonathan Biss - Himself
- Kristian Bezuidenhout - Himself
- Alban Gerhardt - Himself
- Gianandrea Noseda - Himself
- Hebe Jeffrey - Himself
- David P. Dawson - Ludwig Van Beethoven
- Roger Norrington - Himself
- Ilona Schmiel - Herself
- Cliff Eisen - Himself
- Giovanni Bietti - Himself
- Emanuel Ax - Himself
- David Waterman - Himself
- Riccardo Chailly - Himself
- Director(s):
- Phil Grabsky
- Writer(s):
- Phil Grabsky
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- NR
- Closed Captioning:
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- Subtitles:
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