It is hard to over-estimate the contribution Beethoven made to the development of music. He was born into a musical family in Bonn, was well taught and generally well educated. When his astounding musical talent began to emerge with the support of his local ruler he went to Vienna to further his musical studies. He was soon celebrated as a pianist and composer and spent the rest of his life in Vienna supported by generous patrons and free to compose as he wished. This support was a remarkable sign of confidence in him and a mark of the emerging understanding of artistic creation as a fundamental pillar of a civilised society. In spite of going stone deaf he was able to continue composing, producing some of his greatest works in his later years. The film sympathetically details his life and times and is followed by an overview of his works. AM065HD20 Beethoven 2020 37'21