Newsreader John Suchet is an unashamed fan of Beethoven and his music - so much so, he has written a three-volume fictional biography of the man.

In his talk at The Old Market, lavishly illustrated with live music examples from piano, violin and cello, Suchet gave us a flavour of the more unknown Beethoven, looking at his doomed love life and his relationship with his family.

Beethoven frequently fell in love with his young female pupils and would often dedicate piano sonatas to them and then propose marriage - always to no avail.

He may have been the greatest composer and pianist of his time but he was a rough, course-speaking German, deaf and clearly not an aristocrat as his pupils were.

Suchet delivered these anecdotes in humourous and breezy style which brought the composer splendidly alive both in the glory of the music and the frustrations of his deafness.

Suchet's passion made us want to go straight home and listen to the music once more.