New Beethoven Graphic Novel Celebrates Composer’s 250th Birthday

A new original graphic novel, The Final Symphony: A Beethoven Anthology, celebrating Ludwig van Beethoven’s 250th birthday, has been published via Z2 Comics and Deutsche Grammophon. The Final Symphony: A Beethoven Anthology, written by Brandon Montclare and Frank Marraffino, was inspired by the composer’s life and music. The graphic novel reimagines the life of the legendary composer through striking new visuals created by world-class artists. Readers will be able to experience both masterpieces and lesser-known gems in a brand new light. The deluxe edition will be accompanied by an exclusive double vinyl LP following the story through the composer’s own works.

Featuring Alice Sara Ott, Ezinma and Max Richter

Pianist Alice Sara Ott, violinist Ezinma and composer Max Richter, are all featured in their own chapters in The Final Symphony: A Beethoven Anthology. In the chapter featuring Alice Sara Ott, drawn by Creees Lee, the pianist invites the composer to hear one of his works played in a modern concert hall. The chapter featuring Ezinma, drawn by Jarrett Williams, celebrates Beethoven’s groundbreaking musical personality, and Max Richter has been transformed by artist Dave Chisholm, who also wrote the chapter.

Beethoven is one of the most significant composers of all time

Ludwig van Beethoven is one of the most influential and significant composers of all time. Beyond his prolific output Beethoven faced many struggles in his personal life, including tumultuous relationships and the loss of hearing which affected him profoundly, however his music is a testament to the human spirit in the face of cruel misfortune.

Beethoven’s influence has been immeasurable and his compositions have sound tracked and inspired some of the most iconic moments of the last quarter of a millennium. His music has been featured in over 1500 films and TV shows including A Clockwork Orange, Die Hard, Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure, The Breakfast Club, Dead Poet’s Society, Django Unchained, Disney’s Fantasia, The King’s Speech, Columbo, Sherlock, The Handmaid’s Tale and The Simpsons; it’s been sampled by artists including The Beatles, Ennio Morricone, Alicia Keys, Nas, Giorgio Moroder, ELO, Kiss, and Busta Rhymes; it’s been sent into orbit on the Voyager spacecraft; it’s influenced literary works including TS Eliot’s Four Quartets; and the comic strip Peanuts even featured a Beethoven storyline! Beethoven’s legacy has also been recognized in the cosmos, with an asteroid belt and a crater named after him on the planet Mercury.

Celebrate Ludwig van Beethoven’s 250th birthday with the graphic novel The Final Symphony: A Beethoven Anthology.

The Final Symphony: A Beethoven Anthology can be bought here.

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