What prompted me to showcase Beethoven’s “creative” talent in this article was because of a Korean drama entitled “Beethoven Virus” which showcased the Maestro’s music.  Apparently, the lead actor Kim Myung-min actually spent 5 months to learn how to conduct an orchestra in order to portray a conductor in this TV series.  And during the press conference prior to the screening of the series, he surprised fans and reporters by conducting “Ennio Morricone”, “Gabriel’s Oboe” and “Brahms’ Hungarian Dances” with a full orchestra in front of them.  How cool is that!!  Talk about being the “real deal” and not just “acting the part”.  But I’m not posting a review of the TV drama here.  I just wanted to point out that the music of Beethoven has had such a far-reaching effect, all the way to the Far East, as well as to this present day and age.

Hollywood has had its share of “Beethoven” versions.  I vaguely remember watching one with Gary Oldman in the lead.  Whether it was Hollywood-made or an Independent film, I can’t rightly remember, but I did enjoy it way back then.  And now, my interest in Beethoven has been revived by this Korean TV series.  The music played in each episode was invigorating, especially one of my favorites, “Ode To Joy”.

For the benefit of those not too familiar with Beethoven, here’s a short description.  He was born Ludwig van Beethoven, who became historically-famous as a German composer and pianist.  He was quoted as being a “crucial figure in the transitional period between the Classical and Romantic eras in Western classical music”, and as of today, remains “one of the most acclaimed and influential composers of all time”.

Like many famous and “creative”
talents who suffered in their lifetimes, his story was no different.  According to the historical archives, his hearing began to deteriorate in the late 1790s, and yet he “continued to compose, conduct and perform, even after becoming completely deaf”.  This, by itself is no mean feat, and I applaud him for his actions.

When I went online to check out some of his symphonies, like Symphony No. 5 and 9, I couldn’t find a well-recorded YouTube videoclip to post on my niche site in order to share it with my readers/subscribers.  Another one of my favorites, “Fur Elise” also did not sound very “inspirational” to my ears.  Instead, I found one videoclip of an Asian (Korean, I think) girl playing the violin to the tune of “Beethoven Virus” which I found absolutely “breathtaking”.

As such, I won’t be posting any orchestral version of Beethoven’s music, but that of a young girl who has managed to “move me” with her rendition, just like what the music in the Korean TV series did.

I strongly feel that all “creative talent” should be freely displayed for all to enjoy, wherever they be found.  They need not be famous, they need not have any backing whatsoever.  They just need to possess that “something special” which can be spotted a mile away.  That’s all it takes…

Here’s the videoclip.  Listen to it and remember B E E T H O V E N…