Great Composers: Beethoven

This video is part of a BBC series that profiles some of the world's greatest composers. This program presents the story of Ludwig van Beethoven, the German pianist and composer born in 1770. The video uses diaries, letters, personal accounts, and re-enactments to show the human side of the artist, who struggled with deafness and unhappiness in love. His musical legacy of symphonies and music written primarily for piano and strings continues to influence the music world. Excerpts of his works are presented throughout the program.