Beethoven's Fifth Symphony has come to represent Classical Music and modern Western Culture in general. It was used by the allies and the BBC European Service in WWII as a symbol of victory, since the opening "da-da-da-dum" rhythm happens to translate as the letter "V" in Morse Code. "Imagine a blind painter!" So said Richard Wagner when describing the effect of deafness on a composer. Yet Ludwig van Beethoven was a man with the character to overcome this seemingly incapacitating disability and produce some of the most powerful and beautiful music ever written.This absorbing biodrama features the words of Beethoven and his contemporaries, and includes excerpts from his best known and loved works. Together with an informative and illuminating commentary, it conveys to the listener a fascinating and colourful picture of a musical giant. Credits:Beethoven: Kevin Flood. Other parts: Michael Burrell, Derrick Gilbert. Beethoven portrait Wiki Commons.