In the final episode of the series, Andy takes a look at some of Beethoven’s later works and asks his guests to explain which 1 piece of his music best describes the great composer’s legacy and influence. References to tour merch, Wimpy and pri

Episode 9: Beethoven's Health

Jul 9th, 2020 13m 8s

In the penultimate episode, Andy Bush turns to Beethoven’s ill health and explores how it affected his music. How he was able to continue composing as he became increasingly deaf?Andy gains insight from Maya Iwabuchi, leader of the Royal Scot

Episode 8: Beethoven the Performer

Jul 2nd, 2020 17m 38s

Andy Bush investigates Beethoven’s skills on stage, as a pianist, improviser and conductor, and finds useful parallels with Donkey Kong, dry ice and Dane Bowers.The guests in this episode are conductors Karin Hendrickson, Jonathon Heyward and

Episode 7: Infamous Premieres

Jun 25th, 2020 13m 47s

Andy Bush takes a look at the premieres of Beethoven's works that have gone down in history and manages to include references to in-flight safety videos, good soup and premium rate phone lines.The guests in this episode are conductors Sir Mar

Episode 6: Beethoven's Patrons

Jun 18th, 2020 13m 7s

Andy Bush finds out who kept a roof over Ludwig’s head by commissioning him to write music. Turns out there were quite a few princes, but only one of them was called a donkey…The guests in this episode are conductor Carlo Rizzi, leader of the

Episode 5: Beethoven's Friends and Family

Jun 11th, 2020 11m 57s

Andy Bush takes a look at Ludwig's friends, frenemies and the significant members of his family. References to X-men, index fingers and Bond villains also feature.The guests in this episode are conductor Karin Hendrickson, composer and Scala

Episode 4: Beethoven's Love Life

Jun 4th, 2020 14m 49s

Andy Bush finds out about the objects of Beethoven's affections - and it turns out there were quite a few. Who was the Immortal Beloved? Who's the Elise in 'Fur Elise'? And where do llamas and bowls of urine come into all of this?The guests

Episode 1: Meet The Parents

May 21st, 2020 11m 2s

We’ll begin at the beginning - in Bonn, to be precise, where Beethoven was born in 1770. Andy finds out about the young Ludwig’s home life, including a supportive mother and a less than supportive father. How did Beethoven’s upbringing shape hi

Episode 3: Beethoven's Early Works

May 21st, 2020 12m 46s

Andy Bush gets to grips with Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No.0, musical terminology such as ‘WoO’ and his first completed symphony, somehow managing to find parallels with King’s Cross station, butter adverts and Beverly Hills 90210. The guest

Episode 2: Beethoven's Musical Influences

May 21st, 2020 11m 56s

In this episode, Andy Bush takes a look at the composers who proved to be the biggest influences on a young Ludwig, namely Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Franz Joseph Haydn. Celebrity chefs, Mr Miyagi and Louis Theroux also get a mention as well…

Trailer

May 13th, 2020 1m 38s

Rock music fan Andy Bush takes a romp through the life and music of the most rock'n'roll of classical composers, Ludwig van Beethoven. This trailer features extracts of Beethoven’s 3rd, 5th and 6th symphonies performed by the London Philharmo