A STUDY GUIDE by Kate Raynor
http://www.metromagazine.com.au
ISBN-13-978-1-74295-039-6 http://www.theeducationshop.com.au ‘If we are to pick ten things that are great about humanity there would probably be several Beethoven works amongst them.’ ‘In a sense he’s defined what music means, what music is.’
n Search of Beethoven, acclaimed Grabsky is unrivalled in his ability to In Search of Beethoven examines the director Phil Grabsky’s feature- capture the power and essence of romantic myths that swirl around the Ilength biographical film about the life live performance. Alongside riveting titanic figure of Beethoven. We often and music of Ludwig van Beethoven, interviews with a host of historians and think of him as a heroic and tormented is quite simply – like the subject it musicians who have devoted their pro- man, cursed with a tragic fate – ren- chronicles – brilliant. Demonstrating an fessional lives to exploring Beethoven’s dered deaf when all his life was devot- astounding depth of research, coupled world and work, the filmmaker shot an ed to the creation of sound; passion- with a great feel for the music and a astounding fifty-five performances for ately devoted to his Immortal Beloved sense of how best to capture its spirit In Search of Beethoven. This is one and yet alone and loveless for most on film, Grabsky brings together the film definitely worth owning on DVD: of his days. Grabsky challenges the world’s leading performers and experts many performances that we see and popular idea of the genius composer on Beethoven to reveal new insights hear as extracts in the film appear as as a bitter and cantankerous figure in into this legendary composer. Fascinat- complete works in the DVD extras. (For a portrait that is detailed, authoritative, ing biographical information is united example, the Endellion String Quartet comprehensive and ultimately deeply with extracts from the composer’s let- gave Grabsky’s crew exclusive access moving. SCREEN EDUCATION ters and, of course, the music in a film to film a number of complete Beethoven that is never less than compelling. quartets.)
2 Curriculum Links
This outstanding and inspiring film has particular relevance to middle and senior secondary Music Appreciation, Music Performance, History, SOSE/ HSIE and English. The main aim of this guide is to Background -- City of Birmingham Symphony present a wide variety of teaching Orchestra conducted by Sir Simon and learning opportunities based on List of Performers and Rattle the film, ranging in sophistication and Interviewees -- Orchestre de Paris conducted by complexity. Teachers are encouraged Christoph Eschenbach to pick and choose tasks that suit the particular interests and abilities Orchestras and Conductors -- Orchestre National de France con- of their students and the timeframes -- Mahler Chamber Orchestra, con- ducted by Kurt Masur within which they are operating – not ducted by Claudio Abbado in the to work through the guide systemati- production of Fidelio from I Teatri, Soloists and Chamber Artists cally. Reggio Emilia, directed by Chris -- Violinists: Vadim Repin, Janine Most of the activities target literacy Kraus Jansen, Alexander Sitkovetsky, outcomes: speaking and listening, -- Orchestra of the Eighteenth Cen- Urban Svensson reading and writing. tury conducted by Frans Brüggen -- Pianists: Paul Lewis, Hélène There are also activities that address -- Salzburg Camerata conducted by Grimaud, Ronald Brautigam, film/media analysis, ICT and creative thinking. The statements presented Sir Roger Norrington Jonathan Biss, Emanuel Ax, Lars in quotation marks are intended to be -- Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra Vogt, Leif Ove Andsnes, Kristian thought provoking or controversial and conducted by Riccardo Chailly Bezuidenhout, Boris Berezovsky, can be used in a number of ways: as -- Filarmonica della Scala conducted Julia Fedoseeva, Christoph Berner, a focus for discussion, debate or oral by Gianandrea Noseda Itamar Golan, Cecile Licad, Gerold presentations; and as a direction for further research, analysis or creative -- Wiener Symphoniker conducted by Huber writing tasks. Fabio Luisi -- Cellists: Alban Gerhardt, Richard Sections of the guide are labelled with -- Swedish Chamber Orchestra con- Harwood, Roel Dieltiens, Mats the Key Learning Areas they most ducted by Thomas Dausgaard Rondin closely pertain to, although there -- Norrköping Symphony Orchestra -- Quartet: Endellion String Quartet is some overlap between different conducted by Andrew Parrott -- Singers: Christian Gerhaher, Anja sections and activities can be readily -- Orchestre National du Capitole Kampe, Albert Dohmen, Clifton modified to fit different curriculum areas. de Toulouse conducted by Tugan Forbis, Giorgio Surjan, Julia Kleiter Sokhiev -- Dresden Staatskapelle with Historians and Commentators Vladimir Jurowski -- Barry Cooper, Christine Köndgen, For a complete list of the perform- -- Louis Langrée Bayan Northcott, Ilona Schmiel, ers and performances featured in In -- Berliner Philharmoniker with Her- Cliff Eisen, Jonathan Del Mar, Search of Beethoven, see:
3 ACTIVITIES and DISCUSSION POINTS
KEY LEARNING AREAS: History & English A Portrait of the Times
L–R: Gianandrea Noseda; ??? ‘The uniqueness of Beethoven and the attempt of composers, writers, critics and listeners afterwards to come to grips with this uniqueness inevitably A Brief Timeline of Vienna During Beethoven’s Life gave rise to a re-evaluation of the past, 1769 Schönbrunn Palace is completed. the present and the future.’ – Cliff Eisen, historian 1770 The marriage of Habsburg princess Marie Antoinette to Louis XVI of France cements relations between Austria and France.
As well as bringing students to a rich 1780 Maria Theresa dies, and her liberal son, Joseph II, ascends to power. and deep appreciation of Beethoven’s music, this film provides an excellent 1789 Revolution in France leads to the beheading of Marie Antoinette. opportunity to engage students in a 1805 and Armies of Napoleon twice occupy Vienna. study of eighteenth and nineteenth 1809 century Europe. Beethoven was born in Bonn, Germany in 1770 and died in 1810 Napoleon marries Habsburg archduchess Marie-Louise. Vienna, Austria in 1827. Divide stu- 1811 Viennese treasury is bankrupted by military spending. dents into small groups to research topics on the historical context of 1814-15 Congress of Vienna rearranges the map of Europe following the defeat Beethoven’s life (religion, economics, of Napoleon. arts and culture, society, politics). 1832 First steamship company is organised to ply the Danube.
Useful websites include: 1837 Austria’s first railway line is created. http://www.europecities.com/en/607/ (See
4 ‘He is not misanthropic or malevolent; he is wanting always to communicate beauty and warmth and love and hope’. – Jonathan Del Mar, Beethoven scholar and editor
‘He is not misanthropic or malevolent; he is wanting always to communicate beauty and warmth and love and hope.’ – Jonathan Del Mar, Beethoven scholar and editor L-R: Gianandrea Noseda; ‘I have two impressions of Beethoven: a large brain and an equally large heart. These two elements often fight ‘Bonn’s nobles took their lead against each other, but frequently they from this new Elector – who was love each other too. There is so much both their archbishop and prince. love, so much empathy and ability to Under his enlightened rule, musical endure suffering. All this comes from life flourished.’) What is Bonn like his heart.’ – Fabio Luisi, conductor today? How has it changed since Beethoven’s time? • Create a timeline showing the key • Plan a tour around Vienna to cel- events of Beethoven’s life. ebrate Beethoven’s significance to • Create a family tree for Beethoven. this city. Write up a monologue to • Compile a list of adjectives used deliver as if you were a tour guide. throughout the film to describe • In what ways was Beethoven a Beethoven’s character. (For ex- product of his times? In what ways ample: brusque, rude, forthright, did he challenge the conventions impatient, bad tempered, a dark and mores of the times? when Napoleon became a dictator character, profound, unlucky, • Of his arrival in Vienna in November and crowned himself, he was horri- somebody in constant struggle, 1792 at the age of twenty-one, the fied’.) Why is the Eroica Symphony serious, controlled, immensely film’s narration states: ‘Beethoven considered the most historically sensitive, kind, generous, warm- could not have been in a better significant of all Beethoven’s work? hearted, deeply vulnerable, an place at a better time’. Why? How did Beethoven express his inveterate optimist, a misanthrope, • Who was the audience for changed feelings towards Napo- bitter, disorganized, shabby, proud, Beethoven’s compositions? Write leon? humble, immensely temperamen- an account of a premiere of one of tal.) Encourage students to take Beethoven’s symphonies, including The Man Behind the notes during the screening of the information about the venue, the Music: Beethoven’s Stormy film for this exercise. Now come people attending, their dress, etc. Personal Life up with your own list of adjectives • Explore Beethoven’s attitude to to describe your impressions of Napoleon and the French Revolu- ‘He was incredibly positive on some Beethoven, gathered from this film tion. (Consider conductor Roger level; he was someone who believed and from any other information you Norrington’s observation: ‘He was in hope. I think he writes actually have on him. How do you see him? very excited by the idea of a new unbelievably hopeful music. Maybe in What does his music mean to you? world, a new world order, brother- his music he was less concerned with What sense do you get of the man hood of man, getting rid of the bad human beings in the flesh and more from the extracts from his letters SCREEN EDUCATION parts of the old aristocratic world concerned with humanity as an idea.’ included in this film? in which of course he still lived. But – Emanuel Ax, pianist • What is the significance of
5 Beethoven’s early musical facility? How old was he when he gave his first public concert? (seven) • How old was Beethoven when he wrote his first piano concerto? (thirteen) How is the piece regarded today? (It is considered incredibly difficult and virtuosic – Beethoven showing off his prodigious skill as a pianist!) • What evidence is there in the film that Beethoven had a very compet- itive nature? (Consider this extract from one of his letters: The [piano] v[ariations I have writ- ten] will be rather difficult to play … I resolved to embarrass those Vien- nese pianists [some of whom pass my style off as their own and are thus] my sworn enemies. I wanted to take revenge because [I knew they’d try to play these new pieces and that they’d struggle]. Also consider pianist Emanuel Ax’s wry comment: The idea of playing these octaves with that rapidity and just gliding from top: Ronald Brautigam; down the piano is something that Ronald Brautigam; Janine Jansen Beethoven invented actually, prob- ably for two reasons: one, because he could do it; and two, to annoy Northcott tells about Beethoven everybody else who couldn’t. and Goethe meeting the imperial Also consider Cliff Eisen’s sug- party at the spa in Teplitz tell us gestion that an elaborate concert about Beethoven’s character? staged by Beethoven was largely • What myths and clichés about seen by the composer as ‘an op- Beethoven does Grabsky’s film portunity to defeat his rivals’.) challenge? • What might it be like to be, as • Beethoven is described more than cellist David Waterman says of once as a character of contradic- Beethoven, ‘completely sure that tion. What are some of the tensions one’s a genius’? that shaped his character? Do you • What does the anecdote Bayan think any of us are free of contra- dictions? What are some of the contradictory aspects of your own personality? • ‘Genius is ultimately a mystery.’ Discuss. • ‘It’s the prerogative of genius to be difficult and temperamental.’ Discuss, using evidence from the film and elsewhere. • Discuss pianist Ronald Brautigam’s observation: ‘I don’t think to be a good composer you should be completely normal.’ • Opera and film director Chris Kraus SCREEN EDUCATION says that Fidelio demonstrates Beethoven’s belief in the ideal of human progress, ‘the illusion
6 his second trip to Vienna he was ‘helped to find a room, a piano, a wig, and new clothes’. How crucial were Beethoven’s contacts in the aristocracy to his success? Make a list of some of the things a strug- gling composer might need today were they to relocate to a major city. • Imagine you are the tenant under- neath Beethoven in his apartment block in Vienna. What would you think of your neighbour’s behav- iour? Write a letter to the landlord, Herr Pasqualati, with any com- plaints you may have. • For many years there has been debate over the identity of Beethoven’s Immortal Beloved. Historians have argued over sev- eral possibilities, including Giulietta Guicciardi and Josephine von Brunswick. In Search of Beethoven indicates Beethoven’s love was probably Antonie Brentano. What evidence might the filmmakers have used to reach this conclu- sion? • Write a response to one of Beethoven’s love letters as if you were the Immortal Beloved. • Who was the Moonlight Sonata Anja Kampe in Fidelio dedicated to? (Countess Giulietta Guicciardi) Why did her parents op- pose Beethoven’s marriage to their that human progress leads to ‘However glittering his fame may seem daughter? (They objected to his ever greater happiness’. Do you on the surface, the artist is not allowed class and considered him a ‘mere subscribe to a similar faith in the to be Jupiter’s guest in Olympus every piano teacher’.) forward march of human history? day; vulgar humanity too often drags • ‘Beethoven’s temperament predis- Did Beethoven continue to endorse him down against his will from those posed him to hopeless, unrequited this belief at the end of his life? pure ethereal heights.’ – Beethoven love affairs.’ Discuss. • ‘Beethoven’s music would not have such immense power and drama • Discuss Beethoven’s relation- The Business of Music if his life had not been tumultuous ship with his father, Johann. What and so rife with conflict.’ Discuss. personal qualities might he have ‘To the publishers Breitkopf and Härtel, inherited from his father? Leipzig, Heartbreak and Conflict: • What was the nature of Sirs, the fee [for my work] is much The People in Beethoven’s Beethoven’s relationship with his lower than what I usually accept – World two brothers? send me back the manuscripts … I • Why was Beethoven so determined cannot and will not accept a lower fee.’ ‘Never give up and never surrender …’ to gain custody of his brother’s – Beethoven – Hélène Grimaud, pianist son, Karl? How would you describe their relationship? ‘There ought to be in the world a ‘What a destructive, disorderly life I • Who was Beethoven’s teacher in market for art where the artist would see and hear around me – nothing but Bonn, after his father? (Christian only have to bring his works and take drums, cannons, and human misery in Gottlob Neefe) as much money as he needed. But, as SCREEN EDUCATION every form …’ – Beethoven • It is noted that Beethoven made it is, an artist has to be a businessman friends among the nobility and on as well.’ – Beethoven
7 ing of the toll exacted by chronic illness.’ Discuss. • How was Beethoven able to com- pose and conduct in the face of his deafness? • What does David Waterman mean by the term ‘aural imagination’? • Debate topic: ‘Deafness is the worst possible affliction that can befall a composer’. • Several contributors to this film discuss Beethoven’s tragic and tormenting loss of hearing as strik- ing at the very core of his identity as a musician and composer. What affliction would most undermine your sense of self? • Discuss pianist Leif Ove Andsnes’ statement: ‘In many of the late pieces it’s like he’s becoming more and more aware of the acoustic phenomenon, which is quite re- markable for somebody who at this stage was totally deaf’. • ‘In the end, Beethoven’s deafness had a greater impact on his career as a pianist and a performer than it did on his work as a composer.’ Discuss, considering David Water- man’s comment: ‘His deafness at Vadim Repin this stage [towards the end of his life] perhaps even helped him crea- tively, loosened all possible barriers • How did Beethoven earn his liv- of convention, practicability, acces- ing? What is a stipend? Is there ‘But from adversity, sibility, so that he could just follow a contemporary equivalent of the creativity: the hallmark his imagination wherever it took Elector’s patronage? of a great artist.’ him.’ Also consider Gianandrea • What sort of piano teacher do you – Narration, In Search of Beethoven Noseda’s comment: ‘Beethoven, think Beethoven would have been? because he was deaf, was discon- • Why does historian Cliff Eisen sug- nected in a way from reality. He gest that Beethoven ‘behaved to went much more deeply inside him- some extent like a scam artist’? wanted to be healthy and he wanted self; he tried to listen very carefully • What sort of money did Beethoven the world to be healthy.’ to his inner hearing, just to listen to make from publishing his work? – Chris Kraus, opera and film director the very specific deep voice that How successful was Beethoven was singing inside himself’. at the business of music? Was ‘But from adversity, creativity: the hall- • What enabled Beethoven to sur- Beethoven financially secure in his mark of a great artist.’ mount the deep despair evident in last years? – Narration, In Search of Beethoven the Heiligenstadte testament? (‘The only thing that held me back [from Silence in a World of ‘It is a heroic act to come to grips with suicide] was my art. For indeed it Music: a Promethean a disability that is profoundly tied up seemed to me impossible to leave Struggle with one’s self-image and the image of this world before I had produced the world of Beethoven.’ all the works that I felt the urge to ‘A sick man, who suffers from the fact – Cliff Eisen, historian compose; and thus I have dragged that he’s ill, wishes for nothing greater on this miserable existence … than to be healthy. To me it’s self-evi- • ‘Those who delight in maligning Almighty god, who look down into SCREEN EDUCATION dent in the only opera he completed: Beethoven’s character as ill-man- my innermost soul, you see into this was a dream and an ideal. He nered and ill-tempered know noth- my heart and you know that it is
8 filled with love for humanity and a – 1803–1812 – the Eroica and performers on the experience of desire to do good’. In a letter to his the next five symphonies, the performing this work? This activity nephew he wrote, ‘Before my de- Kreutzer sonata, the Violin Con- could constitute a major assess- parture for the Elysian fields I must certo, the Archduke Trio and ment item and could be a culminat- leave behind me what the Eternal the Razumovsky quartets ing piece of work. Spirit has infused into my soul and – 1813–1826 – the mass, the • Why do you think Beethoven only bids me complete. After all, only Choral Symphony and the last ever wrote one opera? Are the art and science gives us hopes of a five quartets themes explored in Fidelio evi- higher life.’) Discuss this classification. Can you dent in Beethoven’s other work or • ‘Without the terrible afflictions see the logic of this structure? How indeed in his personal life? Beethoven endured, his music would you characterise each pe- • In what ways did Beethoven ex- would not have had the emotional riod? How distinct are they? How pand and change the form of the depth that continues to resonate wide is consensus on this schema? symphony? with audiences today.’ Discuss. From which period do your favour- • In what ways is Beethoven’s music • What can you find out about the ite pieces come? demanding for both performers theory that Beethoven was the • In small groups, students devise and audiences? Refer to a specific victim of lead poisoning? contributions for a Glossary of piece in detail in your response. Musical Terms relating to the forms • Choose one of Beethoven’s pieces KEY LEARNING AREAS: within which Beethoven composed. for orchestra and analyse its dy- Music (For example: sonata, concerto, namic range. symphony, opera, cantata, baga- • Design a diagram to explain to a Beethoven’s Music telle, song cycle, minuet, mass.) primary-aged student the typical • Who and what were the major influ- structure of a classical symphony. ‘Beethoven unashamedly wanted to ences on Beethoven’s music? • ‘Beethoven realised the full poten- be as good as Haydn and Mozart and • There has been some speculation tial of instrumental music.’ Discuss. then when he found he was he wanted that Beethoven met Mozart on his • Why does Jonathan Del Mar to be better.’ first trip to Vienna before he was suggest the Ninth Symphony is – Roger Norrington, conductor called back to Bonn because of ‘flawed’? his mother’s ill health. In Search of • What qualities do you think sets ‘I think that the inner despair that this Beethoven notes there is no real Beethoven apart from other com- composer felt is perhaps an expres- evidence for this meeting, but let’s posers of his day? sion of his lack of compromise. He suppose it did take place. Have • Conduct a ‘compare and con- doesn’t care if an aria can be sung or students work in pairs to map out trast’ analysis of Beethoven with not, that’s just the way it has to be.’ the sort of conversation that may either Haydn or Mozart, ‘the giants – Albert Dohmen, bass, have taken place between these Beethoven looked up to’. Don Pizarro in Fidelio two great composers. Perform • Choose a piece by Mozart or these dialogues for the class to as- Haydn and write a review of its ‘Nothing this remarkable, nothing with sess. Criteria might include: clarity strengths and weaknesses from this sense of revolution and volatility of presentation; use of time in pre- Beethoven’s perspective. had ever been heard by a Viennese paring the performance; depth of • ‘Beethoven’s music introduced audience at the beginning of the nine- information about the two figures; a new independence of art from teenth century, let alone the eighteenth plausibility; and creativity. religion.’ Discuss. century. That the piano can present • Choose one of Beethoven’s key • Choose a piece of music that illus- such a strangely amorphous theme works to analyse in detail. Explore trates for you the following poetic and then be answered by the orchestra the structure of the piece. Use observation from pianist Hélène in B major is absolutely shocking. This diagrams where necessary. Look Grimaud: ‘His music is so firmly kind of harmonic palette, tonal palette, for signs of continuity with works rooted in everything human, with use of keys, modulations, was com- that came before it – both the all its frailties and weaknesses and pletely unheard of.’ composer’s own and other works. shortcomings, but at the same time – Kristian Bezuidenhout, pianist, Look for signs of the ways in which there’s an element of Promethean on Piano Concerto no.4, op.58. Beethoven might have modified or struggle, an attempt to always challenged conventions. Can you reach higher and to never give up • Beethoven’s work is often loosely identify this work as a source of and never surrender; something grouped into three main periods: inspiration or influence on anything that always tries to elevate itself – 1792–1802 – the first two sym- that came after it? Does this work from the difficulties of the misery phonies, the first six quartets, serve to justify Beethoven’s place inherent to the human condition. SCREEN EDUCATION and the Pathetique and Moon- in the canon of classical music? He is perceived often as a misan- light sonatas Can you find any comments from thropic character but his music
9 is also the music of an inveterate There in the restful valley • Beethoven added descriptive titles optimist, of someone who never Stilled are suffering and sorrow to several of his works (e.g. the gives up in thinking that men can Where in the rock Pastoral Symphony). Explore the be better.’ Quietly the primrose meditates significance of this and what it sug- • Explore the following statements: Blows so lightly in the wind gests about the meanings embed- ‘Stylistically speaking the beginning I wish I was there! ded in the music. of the nineteenth century and the This was not written by Beethoven. • ‘Beethoven combines deep and composition of the C Minor piano Also consider the choral section stirring emotion with formal bal- concerto of Beethoven represents from the Ninth Symphony. ance and a unity achieved by the an unbelievable watershed, a kind • Consider the following diary entry interrelationship of musical motifs’. of massive break with tradition.’ from late in Beethoven’s life: Discuss. – Kristian Bezuidenhout I really must make sure that every • In what ways could it be argued ‘That’s the divide, that’s the day I seek the company of a musi- that Beethoven’s music serves as earthquake or the earth moving … cian in order to find out more about a bridge between the Classical and suddenly one is thrust into the air how the violin works, how the oboe Romantic periods? … that’s the Beethoven experience, works, how the trombone works, that extraordinary new creativity, and that way in company to learn Beethoven and Music new explosive force that Beethoven more about the instruments and Today brings to the world. Not in the first about my art and about life. and second piano concertos but What does this tell us about ‘If I had not read that a man should not in the third and particularly in the Beethoven as a man and an artist? voluntarily quit this life so long as he Third Symphony of course which • Conductor Louis Langrée de- can still perform a good deed, I would is wild, immensely ambitious, a scribes the tremendous power of have left this earth long ago by my own monster.’ – Roger Norrington the end of the Ninth Symphony as hand.’ – Beethoven • In what ways was Beethoven able arising in part from the fact that it to take advantage of a shift in the is not an unambiguous or simple ‘Death with his scythe will not spare way music was sponsored and happy ending: ‘All the singers shar- me much longer.’ – Beethoven commissioned during his era? Dis- ing not this joy but this esperance cuss the idea that Beethoven had of joy, this dream of joy, this “if only • How did the complex and dif- more freedom and opportunity for it could be like that …”.’ Discuss. ficult works of Beethoven’s third creative autonomy than composers • How was the Ninth Symphony period influence twentieth-century of earlier generations. received on its premiere? composers such as Bartok and • How would you describe Schoenberg? Beethoven as a pianist? Classical or Romantic? • What is it about Beethoven’s life • In what ways were attitudes to and work that make him a con- imitation different in Beethoven’s ‘Heaven’s most precious gift to me: my tinuing source of inspiration for so time? art.’ – Beethoven many musicians nearly two centu- • ‘Beethoven’s greatness lies in the ries after his death? range of his work.’ Discuss. ‘There is every truth in the kind of • Why does Beethoven’s music • Conductor Roger Norrington romantic image of Beethoven as a inspire such devotion in today’s claims that ‘humour in Beethoven composer who expresses all sorts of musicians and conductors? is terribly important’. Can you find emotions in his music but he’s also in • Imagine a young Beethoven was evidence of this in Beethoven’s my view an incredibly cerebral com- born today in rural Australia. music? poser as well. The musical structures Do you think he or she would • Why did people consider the Razu- that he creates are extraordinarily have more or less opportunity to movsky quartets to be ‘quite mad’, complex and it’s always seemed to me fulfil their musical promise? What as cellist David Waterman puts it? there is a kind of contrast there, a huge path might our young Australian • What does Cliff Eisen mean by contrast. He is able to express or to Beethoven, born in 2000, follow to ‘mimetic gestures’ in Beethoven’s exert in his music the kind of control fulfil his or her destiny? work, particularly in relation to the over detail that clearly escaped him in • Do you think the culture and soci- Pastoral Symphony? daily life altogether.’ ety in which Beethoven lived and • How is the violin used to represent – Nicholas Marston, historian worked was more supportive of the Holy Spirit in Beethoven’s mass composers than our world today? (Missa Solemnis, op.123)? • The Classical period in music his- • What particular challenges does • Choose a set of lyrics from one of tory spans 1770 to 1830. Brain- Beethoven pose for musicians? the songs touched on in the film storm a list of attributes for music • Conduct a debate: ‘Classical SCREEN EDUCATION and analyse them. Consider, for composed during this period. What music today is more oriented to- example, the exquisitely beautiful: makes something Classical? wards cultural elites than it was in
10 Beethoven’s day.’ Credits • Write a fifty-word synopsis of the • ‘An appreciation of classical music In Search Of Beethoven film to be published in a television today is a marker of class.’ Dis- Year of Production: 2009 guide. cuss. Duration: 139 minutes • Who is the audience for this film? • ‘Beethoven was an individualist, Director: Phil Grabsky Do you have to like classical music which is one reason we continue to Writer: Phil Grabsky to enjoy this film? relate to him.’ Discuss. (Consider, Editor: Phil Reynolds • Consider the film’s title. Make a list for example, pianist Jonathan Biss’ CINEMATOGRAPHER: Phil Grabsky of other possible titles. comment: ‘I think with any work • If you were making a film on this of Beethoven, it’s the force of his topic, is there anything you might personality which is so strong.’) Beethoven’s time didn’t feel they choose to do differently? • ‘Beethoven’s sense of drama and could compete.’ • What did you learn from watching emotional intensity renders his • ‘Beethoven’s conquest of Vienna this film? music almost modern.’ Discuss. was more lasting than Napoleon’s.’ • Imagine you had the opportunity to Discuss. interview the director, Phil Grabsky. KEY LEARNING AREAS: • Choose one of the many statues or Write a list of five questions that History, English & Music paintings of Beethoven and analyse intrigued you about this project. how it chooses to represent the Exchange these with another Beethoven’s Legacy composer. Imagine you have been student and formulate hypothetical commissioned to create some sort responses. ‘This is one of the most important of public monument to Beethoven • What can you find out about the developments in the history of music to celebrate the 250th anniversary film’s production company, Sev- in a sense, the ascent of instrumental of Beethoven’s birth. Outline your enth Art Productions? How does music to this absolute peak, this peak plans and annotate your design this particular project fit with the of artistic expression and Beethoven with notes explaining the reasoning company’s other productions? is both caught up in that changing behind your choices. • Make a list of the types of logisti- view of instrumental music and is also • What can you find out about the cal difficulties that might confront a I think largely part of the cause of it. Beethoven Museums in Bonn and production such as this. It was very much his orchestral music Vienna? • What visual techniques does that really changed the way that peo- • Compile information about per- the filmmaker use to capture the ple thought about instrumental music formances of Beethoven planned in excitement and intensity of live and what it was saying and the kind your state for the upcoming year. performance? Choose one particu- of access that it could give us to the • How do you think Beethoven lar sequence and conduct a close transcendental, to the infinite.’ would assess his own importance analysis. – Nicholas Marston, historian compared to that of Haydn and • Discuss the chronological structure Mozart? of the film. ‘Mozart was writing for Saturday. • What qualities might Grabsky have Beethoven was beginning to write for KEY LEARNING AREAS: been looking for when he selected eternity.’ Film & Media the narrator (Juliet Stevenson)? – Roger Norrington, conductor • Grabsky’s feature-length documen- In Search of Beethoven: tary, In Search of Mozart (2006) is • What is Beethoven’s legacy? A Film to Listen to among the top-grossing documen- Discuss Cliff Eisen’s shrewd ob- taries screened in Australia. How servation: ‘His repeated attempts • Make a list of the types of material do you account for the appeal of to outdo all of his contemporaries included in the film. these films? were clearly eminently success- • How might the filmmakers have • Why might Grabsky have decided ful. He became an intimidating gone about researching this topic? to eschew dramatised sequences? figure and in that sense one part • Imagine you are the film’s producer, • ‘One of this film’s many great of Beethoven’s legacy is to push seeking funding for this project. strengths lies in its sheer length: it people away from him, to push Write an outline of your intentions, has a sweep and majesty befitting people in directions where they say the purpose and value of the film. its subject and it is to Grabsky’s “I can’t do what Beethoven did and • Design a poster to promote this credit that he allows the film and its I’m not even going to try”. That’s film. Annotate your design choices, music space to breathe.’ Discuss. the essential difference between font, colour scheme, layout, etc. • ‘The story of struggle presented in Beethoven, Haydn and Mozart – How would you select a represent- In Search of Beethoven transcends Beethoven could say “I’m going ative image/s? music in the profundity of its analy- SCREEN EDUCATION to do what Haydn and Mozart did • Write a review of the film to be sis of human suffering and creativ- and just as well” but people in published in a daily newspaper. ity.’ Discuss.
11 Appendix: The Love Letters
July 6th, in the morning are suffering--Oh, where I am, you are with me--I will see to it that you and I, that I can live with you. What a life!!!! My angel, my all, my very self. Only a few words today, as it is now!!!! without you--pursued by the kindness of and, what is more, written in pencil (and with your pencil)-I people here and there, a kindness that I think-that I wish shan’t be certain of my rooms here until tomorrow; what to deserve just as little as I deserve it—man’s homage to an unnecessary waste of time is all this--Why this pro- man--that pains me--and when I consider myself in the set- found sorrow, when necessity speaks--can our love endure ting of the universe, what I am and what is the man--whom without sacrifices, without our demanding everything from one calls the greatest of me--and yet--on the other hand one another, can you alter the fact that you are not wholly therein lies the divine element in man--I weep when I think mine, that I am not wholly yours?--Dear God, look at Na- that probably you will not receive the first news of me until ture in all her beauty and set your heart at rest about what Saturday--However much you love me--good night--Since must be--Love demands all, and rightly so, and thus it is I am taking the baths I must get off to sleep--Dear God--so for me with you, for you with me-- but you forget so easily near! so far! Is not our love truly founded in heaven--and, that I must live for me and for you; if we were completely what is more, as strongly cemented as the firmament of united, you would fee this painful necessity just as little Heaven?-- as I do--My journey was dreadful and I did not arrive here until yesterday at four o’clock in the morning. As there were Good morning, on July 7th few horses the mail coach chose another route, but what a Even when I am in bed my thoughts rush to you, my dreadful road it was; at the last state but one I was warned eternally beloved, now and then joyfully, then again sadly, not to travel by night; attempts were made to frighten me waiting to know whether Fate will hear our prayer--To face about a forest, but all this only spurred me on to proceed- life I must live altogether with you or never see you. Yes, I -and it was wrong of me to do so. The coach broke down, am resolved to be a wanderer abroad until I can fly to your of course, owing to the dreadful road which had not been arms and say that I have found my true home with you and made up and was nothing but a country track. If we hadn’t enfolded in your arms can let my soul be wafted to the had those two postillions I should have been left stranded realm on blessed spirits--alas, unfortunately it must be so-- on the way--On the other ordinary road Esterhazy with You will become composed, the more so as you know that eight horses met with the same fate as I did with four--Yet I am faithful to you; no other woman can ever possess my I felt to a certain extent that pleasure I always feel when I heart--never--never--Oh God, why must one be separated have overcome some difficulty successfully--Well, let me from her who is so dear. Yet my life in V[ienna] at present is turn quickly from outer to inner experiences. No doubt we a miserable life--Your love has made me both the happi- shall meet soon; and today also time fails me to tell you of est and the unhappiest of mortals--At my age I now need the thoughts which during these last few days I have been stability and regularity in my life--can this coexist with our revolving about my life--If our hearts were always closely relationship?--Angel, I have just heard that the post goes united, I would certainly entertain no such thoughts. My every day--and therefore I must close, so that you may heart overflows with a longing to tell you so many things- receive the letter immediately--Be calm; for only by calmly -Oh--there are moments when I find that speech is quite considering our lives can we achieve our purpose to live inadequate--Be cheerful-- and be forever my faithful, my together--Be calm--love me--Today--yesterday--what tear- only sweetheart, my all, as I am yours. The gods must send ful longing for you--for you--you--my life--my all--all good us everything else, whatever must and shall be our fate-- wishes to you--Oh, do continue to love me--never misjudge Your faithful Ludwig your lover’s most faithful heart.
Monday evening, July 6th ever yours ever mine You are suffering, you, my most precious one--I have noticed the very moment that letters have to be handed ever ours
in very early, on Monday--or on Thursday--the only days SCREEN EDUCATION L. when the mail coach goes from here to K[arlsbad].--You
12 Resources phony, Cambridge University Press, of all works. Cambridge, 1998. Books Maynard Solomon, Beethoven, Schirmer Paul Byrnes, ‘In Search of Beethoven’ (re- Phillipe A. Autexier, Beethoven: The Com- Books, New York, 1998. view), Sydney Morning Herald,
13 This study guide was produced by ATOM. (©ATOM 2011) ISBN-13-978-1-74295-039-6 [email protected] For more information on Screen Education magazine, or to download other study guides for assessment, visit
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