Published: 15 December, 2011
by DAN CARRIER

Phil Grabsky made one of the films of 2011 – The Boy Mir, 10 Years in Afghanistan was a superb documentary.

It means I am looking forward very much to watching his latest effort, which tells the story of the composer Haydn.

There has been a documentary series on BBC Four and Radio Three about the evolution of the symphony this autumn and it has kept me transfixed.

While the film is not out until late next year, in early January there is to be a special screening at the Barbican.

Called In Search of Haydn, it is the third in a trilogy.

Grabsky has made two previous flicks on Mozart and Beethoven.

While the film tells the story of his life and the birth of the advent of the symphony as the foremost musical achievement of the period, it also gives the viewer the chance to check out some truly awesome musicians: Gianandrea Noseda, Sir Roger Norrington, The Orchestra of the 18th Century with Frans Brüggen, The Endellion String Quartet, Christophe Rousset and Les Talens Lyriques, Ian Page and the Classical Opera Company, Ronald Brautigam, Sophie Bevan and Emanuel Ax all feature.

The screening at the Barbican includes a performance of Haydn’s OP 76/1 by the Endellion String Quartet and a Q&A session with the director after the show.

• In Search of Haydn premieres at the Barbican on January 12. Tickets are £20. Visit www.barbican.org.uk or ring 020 7638 8891.