Professor Robert Winston continues his exploration into the relationship between the music and the medical conditions of composers who suffered mental and physical illness.

Beethoven famously lost his hearing while still a young man, becoming profoundly deaf by the time he composed his late masterpieces. However, he was also plagued by a catalogue of other chronic illnesses. Stomach problems, asthma and pancreatitis made his life a misery. Prof. Winston investigates with John Suchet, Stephen Johnson and Dr Francois Mai how these daily torments may have been key to the transcendent spirit of Beethoven's music.

Producer: Chris Taylor. Show less