Conducted, performed, written and narrated by Leonard Bernstein. In this documentary portrait prepared for the anniversary of Ludwig van Beethoven’s 200th birthday, Leonard Bernstein illustrates his analysis with excerpts from his performances of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in C Major and the "Ode to Joy" from the Ninth Symphony (Soloists: Gwyneth Jones, Shirley Verrett, Placido Domingo, Martti Talvela; Vienna Philharmonic and Vienna State Opera Chorus), together with rehearsal and performance scenes from Fidelio (Soloists: Gwyneth Jones, James King, Theo Adam, Franz Crass, Lucia Popp, Adolf Dallapozza, Karl Ridderbusch).