DAY 23 WEDNESDAY 14th OCTOBER, SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA

Up at 4.30 to drive to Gold Coast airport and then flew to Sydney. I was met by the film’s Sydney publicist and we started a mad day of press. First there was SBS TV at the hotel then ABC national radio followed by 3 other radio stations. It’s really noticeable how many radio stations they have here – BBC Radio is a national treasure back in England but we don’t have the range of radio stations. Great screening at Cremorne Orpheum (where Mozart did so well) – a truly great cinema run by a very enthusiastic and knowledgeable manager. After a very good Q&A I rushed back to the hotel to watch the important ABC TV movie show. Their review really does have an impact and we got a great one!

In Search Of Beethoven
Rated G
Review by Margaret Pomeranz

Phil Grabsky’s examination of some of the world’s great composers continues with his film IN SEARCH OF BEETHOVEN. His approach, as with IN SEARCH OF MOZART, is to bring some of the world’s experts in various fields to tell Beethoven’s story. But this is not just a history; it’s an exploration of the man and his music.

It’s fascinating to discover just how revolutionary Beethoven’s music was, and the film gives great insight into the humanism at its heart.

This is really an excellent documentary. For lovers of classical music it will be a must-see but for people who want to learn about Beethoven I don’t think you could get any better introduction than this film. The music is sublime, the experts knowledgeable, the musicians themselves give a real understanding of the playing of his pieces, the music is dissected so cleverly.

The film is long, over two and a quarter hours, but there’s depth and intelligence in it. This is not a superficial journey and you end up with enormous gratitude for having taken it.

Further comments

MARGARET: David?

DAVID: I don't think I can add much to what you've said, Margaret, because I completely agree. I mean, one of the things that fascinated me about the film was to learn really what a sad life Beethoven had. The fact that he wasn't able to marry, for one reason or another, and, of course, his increasing deafness and disability and so on, while at the same time creating this sublime music. And also very interesting too is the political background at the time, which the film makes very clear.

MARGARET: Yes.

DAVID: The Napoleonic wars that were going on and the occupation of Vienna, where he lived, of course, and so on.

MARGARET: Yeah.

DAVID: I think this...

MARGARET: Well, I mean, the Heroica.

DAVID: Yeah. Yeah. So, look, I think this is an exemplary film. I'm going to give it four out of five.

MARGARET: I think it's sublime, this film. I'm giving it four and a half.

This could really help….