A documentary by Phil Grabsky. Unrated. Plays Monday to Friday, April 12 to 16, and Wednesday, April 21, at the Vancity Theatre

Despite his acquisitive sounding name, Phil Grabsky is best known for his inquisitive nature, having previously gone In Search of Mozart before settling on Ludwig van Beethoven as the ultimate figure in European classical music.

There are many parallels and overlaps between the two great composers, but where his earlier film was stolidly padded in places, the New York–born, London-raised filmmaker uses his formula to much better effect in reconstructing the life and music of an Olympian artist who lived a longer, more tumultuous life.

As before, the tale is narrated by Juliet Stevenson and is heavy on talk. But the talkers are a frequently eloquent lot. Among many experts illuminating Beethoven’s personal and musical evolution are seasoned conductors like Riccardo Chailly and Roger Norrington and sensitive pianists, including the playful Emanuel Ax.

These are professionals, and they deal in specifics (even if only specific conjecture, at times) made richer by careers spent exploring the music at hand. They actually have it in hand at the time of filming, since Grabsky only carries his camera to people who are currently performing the stuff and who allow him to watch.

Of course, the integrity of this approach is no guarantee of viewer interest, and at almost 140 minutes, even the most devoted Ludwigophiles may tire of the film’s intense close-ups, doggedly chronological approach, and well-considered words. Still, after this you can’t help but feel closer to the volatile master, who conquered silence and changed the course of music but was still not allowed to leave his class.