Beethoven's Eroica - A film by Simon Cellan Jones - BBC 2003 (HD 1080p)

[@TerryUniGeezerPeterson]

I feel sorry for the fact that the vast majority of youth today will never come to know, love and appreciate the colossal genius of not only Beethoven, but most of the great composers.

[@edwinbalbier7104]

I showed this film to my students every December 16.

[@grantsmythe8625]

@@edwinbalbier7104 it is commendable that you do show this. May I recommend that you also have a short piece playing as the students file into class and you call roll as well as end the class with that same or another short piece.

[@MehdiD.Ardebili]

@@edwinbalbier7104 Good job 👏. I wish every music teacher did this sort of thing.

[@TrollMeister_]

Indeed. Not just music. The societal / cultural degradation of the West has been going on for over 40 years

[@MehdiD.Ardebili]

MyMusic Could not agree more strongly!

[@TerryUniGeezerPeterson]

Eroica was composed 218 years ago, (1803-2021) and is as powerful today as ever, if not more so.

[@gamerboy-jh3qx]

True very inspiring piece.

[@canman5060]

It was also the longest symphony in 1803 and also the longest before Beethoven 9th Symphony.

[@alisonkudlowski7373]

Would we be able to say the same of that today, or rather the hot nonsense of noise ? Rap for instance is absolute nonsense. Beethoven may be considered urgent and immediate, but rap is overrated by the media spivs who are milking the youth. It is violent tribal and primitive without skill or knowledge of scores or musical notation. The sooner this C(rap) stops, it certainly will be music to the ears

[@elaineblackhurst1509]

The same is true of almost every great piece of music, and art, literature, and almost everything else that has survived the test of time.

[@ValentinMaheshe-nj6ug]

What is the the name of Mozart piece played at the 7th munite of this movie?

[@iracema1]

Just brilliant. “Everything is different from today”

[@huaraz1060]

Amazing details! gut strings tied up to the tailpiece, old fashion bows, no cello stands, held with the legs, wooden flutes, no valves in any winds. A very free glimpse of real Beethoven. Haydn's part is superb. Eroica enhanced music to unknown levels for those days.

[@daniel3231995]

curious was he present there historically? very nervewracking if it had been anyone but beethoven conducting his own work maybe but humbling to see they were on friendly terms

[@ultrametric9317]

@@daniel3231995 The first rehearsals right after the work was finished were indeed performed at the Lobkowitz residence in Vienna. No serious liberties have been taken. In particular, the deep understanding of Haydn regarding what he was hearing was a superb addition to the film. That is right - of all people alive in 1804, it was Haydn who was in the best position to understand what a prodigious stride this symphony represented.

[@dancingtrout6719]

how can you hear all that.?

[@KatieScarlett2353]

Beethoven was Haydn' student. According to Fenton House keyboard museum in Hampstead, London, they both had grand pianos made from the same oak tree...@@daniel3231995

[@lvbdevinelove2329]

The musicians in prince lobkowitz's palace might be the best sight readers that ever lived

[@Trooman20]

ifkr, lmao, all the dynamics and proper articulations on the second try 💀

[@Noctifern]

@@Trooman20 4th try but ya lol. it would have been a very long movie had they included all of the failed takes lol

[@Trooman20]

@@Noctifern yup lmfao, just 6 hours of Beethoven raging at an orchestra 💀

[@tj-co9go]

@@Trooman20 would have been hilarious to watch though

[@Trooman20]

@@tj-co9go agreed

[@JK-tr2mt]

Love the ending. Haydn, everything is different from today. Some are swept away by the passion. The aristocrat is appalled. The horn player is knackered. The other wind instrumentalist is shocked, OMG, what have we just done?! Even Beethoven is in a bit of a shock. Thank you. And walks away....Got some more radical work to do! Fantastic!

[@leomyshkin]

Oh yeah i loved his walking away too! Just thank you and no one word more :) Aww how is he charismatic here and what a music.... You're just on his side with all of your soul

[@tchuncly]

This film actually does a very good job in illustrating just how innovative and groundbreaking this symphony was. It starts by showing a Mozart piece to contrast with what we are about to hear, and it shows Beethoven, when arriving, smiling as if thinking "Keep expecting this, you'll see what you'll get...". And throughout the entire performance that's what we see quite explicitly, people in the room EXPECTING the music to go in one direction and then get baffled when it doesn't. The political side was also very well highlighted, with the character of Count Dietrichstein portraying the old reactionary nobility, contrasted with the new revolutionary mood sweeping Europe from France and represented musically in Beethoven's piece. No wonder he hates it: he sees in it the downfall of his way of life, of his status. Also the scene where Beethoven couldn't marry his beloved because of mere nobility status serves to show the conflict between this old society and the new one emerging in France and which Beethoven so much admired, as well as providing a background for why "unprivileged people"/"commoners" would admire it. As for the criticisms on the portrayal of Beethoven's character, and that he probably wouldn't argue with nobles so explicitly, I see it as an artifact of the film to display its message, to make this contrast between so disparate viewpoints, and at the same time to show Beethoven's perspective on the political conflicts of the time. If the movie would avoid showing these dialogs simply because they wouldn't have occurred in reality, that'd be a mistake.

[@deluxeclavier345]

Sort of a lame move to use Mozart as the scapegoat though, many of his pieces were just as forward-thinking as Eroica in their day. Not to mention his huge influence on Beethoven. They should have used Dittersdorf or someone. But I guess they wanted something recognizably quaint.

[@kennyholeater2494]

Tell that to the Europeans today with their immigrants flooding in , and taking over !

[@Pakkens_Backyard]

@@deluxeclavier345 Yeah, compared to like Cimarosa and other Galant composers that came before him, Mozart was really weird and avant-garde too.

[@fairytaleoverworlds7795]

Every so now and then we have that artist who totally changes the world and everything from then forth. The 18th century it was Mozart, the 19th century it was Debussy, and then Beethoven might not be fully original but he greatly influenced symphonic dynamics/interpretation.

[@laurenlofton9039]

Beethoven showed them.

[@surgeonanuruddha8148]

How lucky are we to be born in this planet where this grumpy deaf colossal genius created his music.

[@neilf6782]

I honestly think Beethoven will be of more interest to any potential visiting ET's one day than any technological, architectural human achievements. He stands alone.

[@danielwoodgate5897]

Beethoven was half deaf in 1804 😢. He was fully deaf by 1816 I believe. But he still produced great music 😊

[@christopherthorpe7924]

I love how the two guys are saying music is to dance or to pray to yet everyone in that room is feeling something because of the music. That's what music is about!

[@ToudaHell]

Since that day, music is about feeling things. That's why Eroica was so revolutionary. Very few people have changed human culture in such a profound way as Beethoven did with this piece of music.

[@philipmcniel4908]

I can't help but think that's a bit of an anachronism; music that was meant just for listening had been around for decades, as shown by the symphonies and sonatas of Mozart and Haydn (and even more than a century, if you count the Baroque sonatas which had movements _named_ after dances but _intended_ more as "listening music"), and program music--music that's "about something"--had clearly been around a long time as well, as demonstrated by Vivaldi's Four Seasons. That being said, this symphony definitely did push the boundaries beyond the previous Viennese Classical style in several ways.

[@ToudaHell]

@philipmcniel4908 don't all great music have a bit of counterculture to it? Pink Floyd, Soundgarden, Queens, David Bowie. They had passion in their hearts and were disgusted with the status quo.

[@philipmcniel4908]

@@ToudaHell I think it depends. Some great musicians rise to prominence by perfecting the ways of their predecessors (e.g. Bach), while others rise to prominence by blazing a new trail (e.g. Beethoven). Looking back, it seems as though societal preferences swung like a pendulum between simplicity and complexity, from the simple Gregorian chant to the complex Renaissance polyphony, to the simple early Baroque melodies simple (which were often just one line--flowery though it may be--over a sparse basso continuo accompaniment), to the complexity of Bach's counterpoint, to the simplicity of Classical chord figurations under a simple melody, back to complexity with the extended forms of the Romantic period sparked by Beethoven (and this symphony in particular, which was something like 40% longer than a typical symphony of the era). One could say the pendulum swung back to society preferring simplicity after that with the popularity of simpler musical styles based on four-chord progressions, but one wouldn't see a reflection of that in "art music" since composers of that time basically quit caring about what people wanted to hear.

[@ToudaHell]

@philipmcniel4908 I am so glad I have classical music training because otherwise, i wouldn't be able to appreciate your answer the way it deserves. Ah, 20th century. The time when all limits are thrown out the window and 6min silence cam be considered a famous piece. Bach is a prominent baroque figure, but he will never be remembered with the same awe as beethoven. It's that passion that gets me every time. The part of his soul that lives in every piece of music he created. We may sway between complex and simplicity, but at the end of the day, it's passion that wins, my opinion only here. I have always admired that in musicians. Giving us audiences a glimpse into their soul.

[@curtisparker3906]

The BBC at its best. I remember seeing this production at its showing on tv and I am so glad to have found it again. It is still a brilliant piece of tv.

[@paoloantunes1283]

Probably the most powerful piece of music ever written and the most revolutionary work of art in history - everything is different from today.

[@elaineblackhurst1509]

Not sure the ‘Eroica’ is revolutionary in any real sense, it’s just a label that has become lazily applied without any thought - as shown by currently 57 👍’s. (Much of the rest of the comment is hyperbole). Let’s go for the ‘Eroica’ being *radical evolutionary,* or perhaps one of the 57 may care to explain *why* it’s revolutionary (having checked a dictionary definition of the word).

[@dancingtrout6719]

@paoloantunes1283 Listen too Achilles Last Stand By Rock Group Led Zeppelin...

[@ToxicTurtleIsMad]

​@@dancingtrout6719are you retarded?

[@ToxicTurtleIsMad]

Doesnt come close to anything by wagner in terms of "revolution"

[@JohanWXC]

@@elaineblackhurst1509 Are you so daft that you cannot recognize the properties of the third symphony which precipitated fundamental changes in the way symphonies were both conceived and composed, or are you a petulant troll?

[@MrAlcides1611]

Every movie about The MASTER will be interesting. His life was plenty of great moments, so we can appreciate the books, documentaries and films that show us how Giant this GENIUS was for the entire world!

[@sissyrayself7508]

Meh... whatever

[@mandydholzer]

The greatest musician who ever drew breath and walked the earth

[@ToxicTurtleIsMad]

Wagner

[@mandydholzer]

@@ToxicTurtleIsMad No, Beethoven

[@danielwoodgate5897]

​​​@@ToxicTurtleIsMadWagner was a great composer, but Beethoven was like a god to him. Beethoven was his idol. Wagner said himself Beethoven was one of the greats. Beethoven was Brahms hero too. Bach, Beethoven and Mozart are the 3 greatest composers of all time. 😊

[@VeganWithAraygun]

You're all mistaken. I am 😂 (and I invented the Pentatonic scale too🤣)

[@notmyworld44]

@@danielwoodgate5897 Brahms' 1st symphony has been called "Beethoven's 10th". Brahms definitely admired him, but Brahms himself was a man of sweet disposition and kindness toward others. So different! Both were lonely bachelors who were rejected by the women they adored, but for far different reasons. Please see my other comment in this string. Thank you.

[@qianwu1875]

Lobkowitz gave Beethoven 2000 Florin for 6 months. Mankind thank you Lobkowtiz. Just visited the Eroica Hall in Vienna recently, gave me goosebumps.

[@malcolmabram2957]

The Eroica is the finest classical symphony written. It never loses interest, there is always something extra to find, and it has supreme balance and creativity of theme which move smooth smoothly from one theme to the other.

[@elaineblackhurst1509]

It’s post-Classical; the ‘Eroica’ shattered the Mozart/Haydn mould completely, and is one of the most radical evolutionary steps* in the history of the symphony. Mozart’s last six, and Haydn’s twelve ‘London’ symphonies (and a few others such as the ‘Farewell’ symphony) were the last word in the Classical symphony. * Note I have *not* said ‘revolutionary’.

[@malcolmabram2957]

@@elaineblackhurst1509 I see your point except it is in the classical construction of a symphony. The fifth departed from that, not that I complain, as his later symphonies are superb. Beethoven revisited the classical structure in his eighth, which despite being his favourite was a flop, which depressed him.

[@elaineblackhurst1509]

⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠@@malcolmabram2957 I get your point, but then neither does Brahms really depart from the Classical construction of the symphony - to paraphrase your words - and he’s not Classical either. Regarding Beethoven’s 5th, you may find some of the comments I have appended to either that work or Haydn’s Symphony 45* (‘Farewell’) which explain clearly why Haydn had already departed from ‘classical construction’ in 1772, some 36 years before Beethoven in 1808. Additionally of course, the tonal journey of Beethoven 5 (1808) from c minor to C major in 3rd-related keys is almost identical to that Haydn 95 (1791). The idea of returning material from the Scherzo in the finale so often attributed to Beethoven is of course also found originally in Haydn as well (Symphony 46 in B major). * Check out my two long comments on the Haydn 2032 channel under the performance of Symphony 45 by Giovanni Antonini for starters.

[@ToxicTurtleIsMad]

​@@elaineblackhurst1509Haydn is a dog.

[@elaineblackhurst1509]

@@ToxicTurtleIsMad And for those of us with English as a first language…?

[@BuergerPT]

An absolutely brilliant film. We got not only hear one of the greatest pieces of music ever written, but watch people as they responded to it while the drama of parts of Beethoven's life is played out between and during the pieces. Just excellent.

[@ninjaatilly]

Have watched it so many times and never get bored of it. I'm currently studying this piece for my A2 German exams- honestly one of the best and most revolutionary symphonies written!

[@omglolgiraffe]

I know you've probably finished by now, but how did you manage to study a symphony for A level German? Hope it went well anyway

[@akshaygowrishankar7440]

Quite honestly, I don't know if you meant to put a reference, but this piece was inspired by the Revolution a lot. Here's hoping you did wünderbar on your exams :)

[@elaineblackhurst1509]

This ‘Eroica’ is not revolutionary, but it can be described as one of the most radical evolutionary steps in the development of the symphony.

[@MichaelLevyMusic]

Seeing this symphony actually filmed as being performed on period instruments with musicians & audience in authentic period costumes really emphasises how strikingly FUTURISTIC it must have sounded at the time - what must they have thought of all that wonderful Stravinsky-style dissonance...in 1803!!

[@elaineblackhurst1509]

As a whole, you’re right, the ‘Eroica’ is a radical step in the on-going evolution of the symphony. Regarding the ‘…Stravinsky like dissonance’, you’d be on safer ground with this claim if you knew your Mozart and Haydn a little better, which if you did, you probably wouldn’t have made it.

[@sorim1967]

@@elaineblackhurst1509 Reprehensible comment. Full points on showing off your knowledge of dissonance in Mozart and Haydn and also full points on rudeness and pompous trash talking. And you are probably wrong since dissonance in all of Mozart and Haydn is perhaps different materially to how dissonance transpires in the crashing chords of the first movement. A nice person would have had the grace to acknowledge that the OP was onto something meaningful there (perhaps he was thinking Rite of Spring?) rather than try to show off at his expense so incredibly rudely.

[@elaineblackhurst1509]

@@sorim1967 A unfortunate comment displaying publicly a lack of understanding of the subject in question matched only by perhaps the inebriation of the writer; as in the case of The Emperor’s New Clothes, occasionally the blatantly obvious needs calling out for what it is.

[@joaquim64rodrigues]

Beethoven kicked music 200years INTO the future

[@elaineblackhurst1509]

@@joaquim64rodrigues Not really, though his giant stature did cast a shadow over much of the rest of the century in many - but not all - areas of music. That said, Beethoven had little to contribute to the development of opera in 19th century, and even in the sphere of the symphony, composers like Berlioz as early as 1830 ie just three years after Beethoven’s death, evolved the form radically with his Symphonie fantastique - a very new and modern work indeed compared to any of Beethoven’s nine.

[@nicolaaslouw9945]

The greatest genius who ever lived, or shall ever live.

[@eddiemperor]

@james karkas Jazz is still the future.

[@elaineblackhurst1509]

No such person exists, except in the mind of someone who wishes to make such a judgement.

[@dancingtrout6719]

@@elaineblackhurst1509 close

[@ToxicTurtleIsMad]

Wagner

[@michellecostea1864]

Thank so much , such a beautiful portrayal of Bethoven's character and music. Too bad this generation have no idea what they're missing on.

[@Ohsoaskarian]

Most people really don’t get how IMPORTANT this is

[@juliea2864]

I think a couple of women did love Beethoven. But they didn't marry him because they knew how turbulent home life would be. Beethoven is a tragic and beautiful figure.

[@mwlembo]

That divine moment for any artist... the point of no return.

[@hiramabiff2305]

Difficult is good, difficult is beautiful, difficult is closer to the truth

[@michaelfreed4986]

unfortunate, but true

[@ToxicTurtleIsMad]

The first 2 are your opinions. The third one is complete nonsense

[@amandamorriss3658]

best 'historica' film i've ever seen. makes you feel the director was there in person and just let the camera roll. Genius.

[@malcolmabram2957]

17:33 "Punch every accemt." Yes that is the Beethoven beat, and they have got it here in this performance. Bravo.

[@ahmedazizrafiq]

Fantastic movie for one of my most adorable symphonies... I’m very impressed.

[@luisfrias3657]

One great tribute to the giant, the master, the genius!

[@2charliep]

I love this symphony, it’s utterly thrilling.

[@elaineblackhurst1509]

@@tomdgamble If you’ve laughed at any point in this magnificent symphony, then you have signally failed to understand anything at all about what is going on.

[@elaineblackhurst1509]

Most symphonies are ‘…utterly thrilling’, that’s precisely why they are still played today.

[@ToudaHell]

I love how the beginning builds up the piece that makes the 1st 2 chords hit so much harder than normal. I've seen (listened to) this movie half dozen times, and i still get chills every time.

[@theme542]

40:45 I love his face here. He doesn’t want to like it because he feels threatened by it being new and what it represents, but he can’t deny he’s listening to something spectacular

[@synymyr]

Agree - this is one of my favourite cinematic moments - what a great performance from the late Tim Piggot-Smith.

[@toffifeewolf2069]

Very good actor!!

[@xaixanac]

the revolutionary Beethoven, this music is blowing my mind

[@reneoslizlok7216]

A revolutionary who did not need to burn down cities, loot or justify thuglike violence. With this piece the orchestra reached its pinnacle, opening the way for emotion to be given voice.

[@henrygustavekrausse7459]

​@@reneoslizlok7216 He tried to justify Napoleon's violence, though.

[@elaineblackhurst1509]

The ‘…revolutionary Beethoven’ is a lazy, meaningless, and inaccurate cliche, and as usual, has been presented with no explanation as to why that might be the case. Beethoven’s Symphony 3 is a *radical evolution* of the form;* the ‘Eroica’ pretty much explains why to anyone with ears to hear (and something in-between), though I’ve done it in words elsewhere. * Just as works like Haydn’s Symphony 45 ‘Farewell’ (1772) was before, and Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique (1830) was after Beethoven.

[@camposi]

this movie is outstanding!!!! I most love the scene"Mr Maydn"appears. He´s a great composer!

[@karlclarke]

that was fantastic to watch, such a massive moment in Music history, its wonderful to watch a full length movie about it.

[@fredhoupt4078]

+karl clarke It remains my favorite of his symphonies. Truly a revolutionary piece that shattered all that remained of the era of Mozart and Haydn. The future was Beethoven's.

[@alfredogomez5241]

We need more movies like this instead of Iron Man

[@edmond8743]

LOL, agree

[@spikespa5208]

Knowing what we know now about the Eroica's impact on music, how amazing would it have been to wander around and through the orchestra during its first playing.

[@leverseidge1990]

I love how they play Mozart. Everyone is so used to the style. Everyone is delighted. The old count is like. Yes. I like this music. The music of my Youth, the music of the Aristocracy. Then Beethoven's 3rd starts and everyone is like what is this strange new music. Even the players are bewildered by it. But this new strange music is of the common people. There World is starting, away with the old regime of the aristocrats, in with the new.

[@michaelfreed4986]

Beethoven's music stands out as unique. He held to tradition where possible, but his inner agenda was about what is true and real. a man ahead of his time, as all great men. Especially in our times, who he was... is a model of courage and hubris loved only by the gods.This insightful production take us to a moment in history very like our own, Well-done and worth watching by anyone on the edge of choice.

[@elaineblackhurst1509]

Without exception, *all* the great composers are unique which is why their music has never died and is still studied, played, and listened to today.

[@ultrametric9317]

Possibly the greatest film about classical music ever made! As good or better than "Immortal Beloved" and "Amadeus". Outstanding in every way!!! Thanks for posting!!!! And many thanks to the band for playing in A=440!

[@elaineblackhurst1509]

To a degree, but only if you wish to suspend almost all factual reality; Beethoven was cantankerous, dirty, smelly, probably an alcoholic, unkempt, uncouth, and downright unpleasant to be around - here Ian Hart is strangely attractive. Frank Finlay is brilliant as Haydn and dominates the screen when he is on; he is used cleverly as a narrator to make sure we get the message about the Eroica. Unfortunately, almost every word put in his mouth is spurious nonsense drawn from doubtful and /or unreliable sources masquerading as ‘fact’. Eroica is pretty much on the same level as Amadeus - a brilliant film, but it should not be taken too seriously, nor quoted as factual gospel truth.

[@ultrametric9317]

@@elaineblackhurst1509 Hearty agreement :)

[@buskman3286]

"And many thanks to the band for playing in A=440!" Which, of course, they probably didn't in 1804/05... ;) Could have been anywhere from A=around 400 to A=465. ;)

[@andersberg8915]

"The artist as hero ... everything is different from today" The first and probably best rock concert ever ...

[@fernandowachs935]

Great point

[@sacredbolero]

1913 Theatre des Champs Elysees. The second, and my “probably best”, rock concert.

[@akshaygowrishankar7440]

@@sacredbolero Stravinsky's Rite Of Spring wasn't much rock music, so much as it was very experimental and contemporary. Also, if you notice, although the Sacre repeats its motifs to sound eclectic, they're very rhythmic; in that sense, it's kind of like modern music, but with more overlying chaos.

[@elizabeths4371]

I loved this portrayal of Beethoven as well as the premise of a dress rehearsal. I was interested and enthralled from the first note to the last.

[@theexpress7448]

One word: masterpiece

[@na3044]

Love the period instruments... what a marvellous rendition.

[@rommelmartinez5492]

I grew up listening to classical music, especially Beethoven, Mozart, Tchaikovski, Bach, etc. When I was still in early high school years, I was already fascinated by Beethoven's masterpieces especially Eroica, Emperor, Pastorale and Fur Elise. I just didn't understand why this master has been my favorite and what made his music more powerful. Now in my 50s I understand.

[@JamesinLA1]

Really makes you feel and understand how they saw, felt when first hearing this revolutionary music. You can hear the shocking sounds with their ears. "Nothing will be the same after this."

[@KP-ne3sd]

Still watching , one of my favorite movies

[@juidas]

I own 10% of the views

[@michaelkobrin6774]

This film is brilliantly conceived, written and performed. While I cannot claim to know the historical accuracy of every detail, there is enough that I DO know to be able to accept the whole, accurate or not. I expect that this will be one of those films that I watch many, many times.

[@juidas]

+Michael Kobrin : No orchestra can perform Eroica from first attempt, not even 10 rehearsals. but this movie sure is an idea a brilliant one in fact that shows us how to appreciate in my opinion the best composer ever lived.

[@mauricioduron3193]

+Michael Kobrin Indeed. Surprising that some still are unaware of artistic freedom. Not sure that anyone today would sit through 10-plus rehearsals in order to satisfy the demand for historic accuracy.

[@sophiathorsen5885]

Wow Beethoven was a genius in the world of music, the contrast of the old and the new in this piece is amazing! Especially how the mood changes constantly in the piece, I had goosebumps throughout, tears even gathered in my eyes and I was near shaking by the end! I also liked how the old world is still shown so clearly with the romance of the Countess and Beethoven and how impossible their relationship is by the old ways and society. It was also amazing, how they used Haydn as part of showing how the world was on the cusps of change, Haydn as the old way of writing music and Beethoven as the new and upcoming. Finally I was just overwhelmed by the intensity and the pictures the music conjured, how the music is “about something” That was beyond fantastic 🎼🤩

[@galactikbutterfly]

THERE IS A MOVIE CALLED IMMORTAL BELOVED REGARDING HIS LOVE AFFAIR WITH THE COUNTESS

[@elaineblackhurst1509]

Haydn is not the old way and Beethoven the new - both are key parts of the development of modern Western classical music; the old music is the Baroque age of Bach and Handel, Scarlatti and Vivaldi et al.

[@vandoesselaerewillem9744]

Timeless waves are filling the room , you just entert the world of Beethoven .........

[@pauldyba255]

My favorite symphonic work, period.

[@WMAlbers1]

Yet again a slightly over-romanticised, but highly uplifting, piece of conjectural music history! Thanks to the producer for finding such a convincing Beethoven.

[@simonkawasaki4229]

Slightly?

[@akshaygowrishankar7440]

But credit where credit is due: they beautifully interpreted Le Marche Funebre.

[@escopiliatese3623]

Simon Kawasaki it’s not even slightly over-romanticized.

[@elaineblackhurst1509]

Frank Finlay is outstanding as Haydn too, and dominates the screen when he is on. The only problem is that most of Haydn’s dialogue is spurious baloney and in comparison, Amadeus is a detailed factual documentary.

[@WMAlbers1]

@@elaineblackhurst1509 Yes, that role is also a topper.

[@manuelgimferrer]

0:09:02 Beethoven hears Mozart's music being played, laughs maniacally almost like saying: "Yeah, they don't know what they're in for!" It's the best part, for me

[@seashark_2355]

What was that Mozart piece

[@manuelgimferrer]

@@seashark_2355 Eine kleine Nachtmusik

[@seashark_2355]

@@manuelgimferrer omg thanks! I forgot ab that one XD

[@jeffrypw4864]

Amen to that!!...get ready boys and girls, here comes the romantic railroad!!

[@quantrinhhong3125]

What mean for that ? Beethoven don't love Mozart's music ? Anything else ?

[@cbalmori]

Colossal… Absolutely love this film

[@marcin8942]

Wonderful music and actors. One of my favorites films. Thank you so much! ❤

[@HarvestHome2000]

Complete and utter perfection.

[@clbaker24]

I looked for this FIM for an hour before I found it I new it existed thinking I was in the twilight zone for a minute this is a excellent piece of filmography

[@vdLeo-je6os]

In my opinion Ian Hart is one of the best actors ever. He plays Beethoven like he is Beethoven himself. I dont know if he has but he definetelly deserves an Oscar for his talent.

[@debradorfman7940]

Yes. Ian Hart IS BEETHOVEN. I can see him wearing his heart on his sleeve. His music does show his soul.

[@elaineblackhurst1509]

@@debradorfman7940 Beethoven was in fact cantankerous, dirty, smelly, probably an alcoholic, uncouth and unkempt - in short, hugely unattractive; just like with Tom Hulce as Mozart in the Amadeus movie, Beethoven here has been massively sanitised for modern day consumption.

[@musicalme27]

@@elaineblackhurst1509 So what? The music speaks for itself. As Haydn says about the music, The composer gives us a small glimpse into his soul. The soul doesn't depend on soap and polite hygiene.

[@elaineblackhurst1509]

@@musicalme27 Haydn never said that; typical of much modern day commentary, the supposed quote is entirely spurious and is simply filmspeak that has absolutely nothing to do with fact. By the way, Haydn - not Beethoven - was the first composer to put himself at the centre of his own music (followed by Mozart). It’s a shame that such baloney from film scripts gets such traction by endless mindless repetition (as was the case with Amadeus).

[@ToxicTurtleIsMad]

I disagree. He looks too british. Looks nothing like beethoven. A caricature at most

[@ferdinangenius]

the best parts are Haydn listening the dawn of a new music

[@ollereraron9776]

Fernando Villegas it's funny because Haydn's music was probably the most important forerunner of Beethoven's :)

[@ferdinangenius]

Thai true

[@ollereraron9776]

Fernando Villegas So maestro Haydn: don't be so surprised!:))

[@ferdinangenius]

We do not know if he was surprised or overwhelmed thinking perhaps that all his art was becoming old fashion and obsolete. IT WAS NOT THE CASE, but I wonder if that kind of thinking does not occur in the mind of the artist looking at the stuff coming after him.

[@ollereraron9776]

Fernando Villegas it was just a joke but yes

[@andrewhumphries4029]

A fine dramartisation around a superb orchestral work; brilliant!

[@alphamale3141]

The First Movement is one of my all time favorite works.

[@DanielAldous-yu7kj]

I enjoyed this more than Immortal Beloved. This is more what I imagine the real Beethoven was like. Quality stuff Edit: I just checked the description and saw that today, 9 June 2024, is the 220th anniversary of the first performance of the Eroica symphony 🎻🎉

[@powderedwiglouis1238]

Immortal beloved is also a good movie with a stellar gary oldman as beethoven

[@Nicwizz]

An utterly brilliant film about the greatest musical genius. He really stirred up the musical world.

[@pogeman2345]

TwoSet should react to this

[@ez097]

Go practice!

[@ujjwalrohilla2280]

Huh not again you kid

[@detectivehome3318]

saw it just now. i think they should!!

[@josupeo7733]

GO PRACTICE NONO WATCHING DING DING OR YIU PRACTICE AND WATCH AT THE SAME TIME

[@НеллиЗорина-ф7ш]

О́свещенность экрана ?

[@zacharyspencer8321]

Well, THAT is the most fun i have EVER had listening to the 1st mvt. of the 3rd.

[@2charliep]

I always find myself grinning like a Cheshire cat throughout this piece, it makes me happy listening to it.

[@fairytaleoverworlds7795]

YES! Why is that, maybe because it's basically Beethoven putting a knife through everything Mozart did.

[@elaineblackhurst1509]

@@fairytaleoverworlds7795 Mozart is pretty irrelevant, Beethoven is moving on the symphony largely from the Haydn model. Beethoven is no more ‘…putting a knife through everything Mozart did’ [nor Haydn] than Berlioz did through Beethoven when he moved the symphony into new areas with his Symphonie fantastique just three years after Beethoven’s death.

[@olliebear9256]

I keep coming back to this wonderful film based on the most exquisite symphony. So well done, so well acted and directed with the long close-ups. In my top 10. I have a dvd, but this is so easily accessible with good headphones.

[@TyaGem]

Absolutely delightful and brilliant..

[@TheDsandage]

BBC does it once again. Bravo! A master of period pieces and historical drama!

[@brianreilly8661]

I think its the greatest price of music written

[@historicwine1283]

It is unreasonably good.

[@elaineblackhurst1509]

No such thing exists. ‘price’ Recte piece.

[@HelenMyers]

Thank you so much for sharing this film. It really is wonderful - a brilliant portrayal of how people may have reacted when hearing something for the every first time. What a great idea. (Rehearsing this in an amateur orchestra at the moment.. I will now have these images in my head as I play!)

[@miguelsatio7182]

How lucky, all of those people that had the opportunity to be present at any of his masterpieces...

[@spikespa5208]

And to stroll around the musicians during it....... would be an amazing experience.

[@ivanivanovic125]

The film is well done. So much symbolics but also realistic enough.

[@alasart.artandtime]

Thank you for sharing and bringing this historical moment to our times so visually.

[@septimuswarrensmith879]

An entertaining film dramatically depicting an incredible and for some terrifying moment in history that represented not just a musical revolution but a political, economic and social revolution. The psychology and perceptions of western Europe were changed radically from this point onward. Such enlightenment comes on like a tsunami and leaves one breathless, light-headed and floating just above the earth.

[@drcajus]

Beethoven is the greatest composer of all time. Mozart and Bach may have been more naturally talented, but the final product for Beethoven was (almost) always perfect. His music, like human nature, it's enigmatic at it's core. Heroic and heartbreaking, tragic and uplifting, simple and complex: it covers the full range of artistic expression.

[@jimmychai621]

Beethoven revolutionised the classical music. Otherwise, the classical music today will still be like Mozart's. Eroica is still the Best Symphony of All Time.

[@lorentzinvariant7348]

I always thought Beethoven to have a greater inborn talent than Mozart and his difficulties in life tempered that talent further.

[@fairytaleoverworlds7795]

Damn I agree with every single thing each of you said... Beethoven was noted to have humbly said that Bach, Haydn and Mozart were all better than him, he simply put his stamp upon the greats--however we know Beethoven wasn't always right about things ;) neither Bach, Haydn or Mozart would've said they're the best for their time either: Composers are critical of their own music.

[@Ludwig1625]

@@lorentzinvariant7348 uhh, Mozart wrote his first piece at like 5. I don't think Beethoven had more talent.

[@elaineblackhurst1509]

@@jimmychai621 Opinions are fine, presented as facts they are not. Hyperbole is not helpful.

[@celiamacedamontero9644]

Película muy interesante, la he visto dos veces y no me ha aburrido. La música, los personajes y toda la escena impecable para su época. Muchas gracias por compartirla👍

[@yamato-yosoroku-klausketeer]

I love Beethoven's EROICA. 26:30 30:52 It is very,very,very,very exciting music!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@yamato-yosoroku-klausketeer]

Thank you so much!! Symphony ''Eroica'' ,No.5,''Pastrale'' ,No.7 ,No.9 ,Overture ''Colioran'' ,''Egmont'' ,''Leonore'' and ''Grosse Fuge''...........UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!!!! Beethoven is the great musician!!!!! and I'm sorry. I am not good at English. But,I have English-Japanese dictionaｒｙ!

[@thepolyglotfarmer6085]

I totally agree! It makes your soul vibrate!

[@Lee_music249]

Yes

[@srothbardt]

Excellent sound on this. The orchestra is actually the Orchestre Revoulutionnaire et Romantique conducted by John Eliot Gzardiner

[@notmyworld44]

Gzardener is Gardener's Hungarian cousin.

[@SarahJones-wy5us]

@@notmyworld44 CHEEKY BUGGAR!

[@nachojimenez3819]

La BBC siempre realiza unas producciones y películas estupendas y de altísima calidad. Y con EROICA se sale!! Cómo he disfrutado con la película!! SUPERB!!

[@dan_gabriel]

22:26 and music will never be the same...

[@osamafathy5786]

IIt is striking that the orchestral instruments were tuned to the old chamber pitch (A 432 Hz). that is Great!!!!❤❤❤

[@cskarbek1]

Excellent!!!!!!! love Beethoven, totally. thanks for posting!

[@thepolyglotfarmer6085]

There is nothing in the whole world of classical music like the breathtaking moment of musical emancipation between 21: 46 and 22: 38. Not that I have heard. Beethoven surely brought this from Heaven to us.

[@zesideral]

24:46 ""I was standing next to Beethoven and, believing that he had made a wrong entrance, I said, 'That damned hornist! Can't he count? It sounds frightfully wrong.' I believe I was in danger of getting my ears boxed. Beethoven did not forgive me for a long time." (Ferdinand Ries, in his diary)

[@dagmarski4133]

I have electricity exams tomorrow with too little time to learn, couldn’t find a better way to spend my time. Seriously!

[@pinkpanther7030]

BBC has gems of its own. And this is one of them. 🙄

[@nicoleleamoseman1947]

What a treat this is.

[@SixtySecondSnapshots]

quite so

[@alfredogomez5241]

Pure delight

[@Tyrfingr]

My favourite symphony OF ALL times.

[@realistreset8336]

I love this movie. Sure, some of the dialogue is cringey as hell, but the performance is really good and the acting somehow manages to be really good with such questionable dialogue.

[@rocioincera1]

Esplèndida manera de exponer toda la época, el amor del autor y la escena polìtica y musical. Una ediciòn impecable :) Gracias.

[@wolfgangaus6264]

Wonderful production....... superb........

[@vdLeo-je6os]

9:41. What I love about Beethoven is that he represents meritocracy in a humanity that promotes titles and non-meritocracy.

[@julieconnard4372]

Great observation!

[@vdLeo-je6os]

@@julieconnard4372 Thanks for your comment honey!

[@elaineblackhurst1509]

Beethoven’s supporters and patrons were almost entirely aristocratic.

[@julieconnard4372]

@@elaineblackhurst1509, that would appear to be almost entirely irrelevant. Evd was talking about what Beethoven represents, not what his patrons represented. In fact, Evd's comment contrasts the two -- the people of titles, and the people of merit. So what, again, is your point?

[@elaineblackhurst1509]

@@julieconnard4372 My point is self-evident: Beethoven was arguably more dependent on aristocratic patronage throughout his life than either Mozart in the last ten years of his life (from his move to Vienna in 1781), or Haydn from 1790 (after the death of Prince Nicholas). I would ask a question in return: in what way is Beethoven any different from Mozart and Haydn in terms of meritocracy ? Far too many generalisations are made about the ‘rebellious’, ‘revolutionary’, and ‘radical’ - et cetera - Beethoven whilst passing over almost entirely the fundamental changes already evident in the life and works of his two great predecessors. Beethoven does represent change as the original comment said - agreed; but he was not alone.

[@zinam5795]

Спасибо режиссёру! Очень необычная КИНО-идея! Кто и как жил-был .....в истории МУЗЫКИ !

[@robinthomsoncomposer]

Absolutely bloody fantastic!

[@252Silverio]

Absolutely extraordinary a highest experience of the soul Beethoven´s genius was, is and will survive all empires and monarchies

[@TrollMeister_]

Haydn lived just long enough to hear this. The tragedy is Mozart didn’t.

[@elaineblackhurst1509]

Haydn knew Beethoven very well from the first meeting in Bonn in 1790 until the last recorded meeting in Vienna of 1808 ie a very long time; they had a somewhat uneasy relationship, though some of the Beethoven sources over-state the issue sometimes. Mozart never even met Beethoven, though it’s possible Beethoven heard Mozart play during a brief visit to Vienna in 1787; Beethoven reportedly criticised Mozart’s technique as being ‘choppy’ (ie no legato). Haydn and Mozart from their first meeting after Mozart’s move to Vienna in 1781 until Haydn’s departure for England in December 1790 was one of the closest and most astonishing in all music history (Mozart died whilst Haydn was away). Three great composers with pretty much universal respect all around the triangle, except for the fact that Mozart almost certainly knew next-to-nothing about Beethoven

[@canman5060]

Franz List made a magificent piano solo transcription of this great symphony.

[@jalexander2106]

It’s absolutely beautiful, passionate, incredibly inspiring, talented, full of energy and of course profoundly moving. It’s Beethoven in his purest form! Thank you very much for uploading this wonderful piece!

[@tropikaeast2266]

Beethoven's Eroica was a revolution to Classical Music then. "Everything is different from today". Pity the older players. Still the best.

[@fredhoupt4078]

+Tropika East I have been unable to confirm that Haydn really was at that rehearsal. My copy of Beethoven bio by Maynard Solomon does not provide enough info. So, it might be whimsy.

[@elaineblackhurst1509]

The’Eroica’ is not a revolutionary work, but it is a radical evolution of the form.

[@josefstengl4654]

genialer Film ich kann ihn jeden Tag anschauen, great stuff

[@TheFotoJo]

Never heard before in such good interpretation!

[@ErasmusBMountain]

Joachim J Neither did I. I guess it's just because you can hear every individual instrument at any time.

[@premierepasta1562]

+Joachim J I know right!!! I saddens me to death that I can't get this as a recording!

[@ianhobbs4984]

I have never been a fan of of classical music as my father tried to force it down my throat, bot now at the age of 78 I can view it in a different a different light that impressed me with much joy.

[@judithlacks7508]

I am taking my kids to a live performance of Eroica, and I asked them to watch this before we go. They are now very excited instead of just placating mom.