Rent In Search of Beethoven (2009)

Generous Length but still Omissions - In Search of Beethoven review by CV

This is a very good survey of Beethoven the man and composer with many interviews with contemporary musicians and shots of his dwelling places. To criticise, though, there were topics which were not mentioned at all which I would have thought were indispensable. Also there were many amazing anecdotes that were not told, such as his confrontation with the British violinist Bridgewater. There is his achievement as an improviser and his triumph over his rival Stiebelt which was the stuff of legend. There is his career as a string quartet player as well and his sense of humour which is everywhere in his quartet composition. I wish there might have been more about his relationships with and influence on other composers particularly that of Haydn and his own pupils Ries and Czerny. His own respect for Cherubini and his later adoration for Handel were never mentioned. Also there was no mention of the Diabelli Variations which has another interesting anecdote attached. I think also for musicians for whom English is a second language they might not have conveyed their deepest and profoundest thoughts so well and I missed the comments of the older champion players of Beethoven such as Vladimir Ashkenazy.

Nevertheless it was very enjoyable and inspirational, not just musically, but in showing how adversity can be overcome, aspiring to a noble idealism and a vision for a perfect world. Hopefully that sums up Beethoven's music!