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The Myth of Beethoven

Ingenious, quick-tempered and highly assertive – Ludwig van Beethoven fundamentally changed the image of the artist. Like no-one else he fearlessly began to permanently change music history. Whole generations have eagerly worked on the myth of Beethoven and made a perceived titan out of the man.

Together with the pianist Rudolf Buchbinder and the Beethoven biographer Jan Cayers this six-part series uncovers the person behind the myth. Beethoven’s piano sonatas serve as soundtrack as well as the leitmotif.

They accompanied and preoccupied him his whole life: when he was 25 years old, he published his first sonata, having recently arrived in Vienna – the last one five years before his death. In times of crisis and change the piano was for Beethoven his most important instrument for developing new paths. Like a secret journal the sonatas allow deep insights into his thoughts and emotions.