Copying Beethoven is a beautiful film, both visually and sonically. Its real star is Beethoven's music, particularly his great masterpiece, the 9th Symphony. I loved it but warn those who expect strict historical accuracy that they won't get it here. Beethoven never had a female copyist and the character of Anna is entirely fictional. Nevertheless, Beethoven's tortured brilliance is portrayed to perfection by a slightly overweight Ed Harris and Diane Kruger, as his copyist, Anna Holtz, is perfect, too. Kruger is little more than competent as an actress but her ethereal beauty and earnestness work here.
The high point of the movie for me was its portrayal of the first performance of the 9th Symphony, with Anna, who is hidden from the audience, doing the conducting, which the deaf Beethoven follows. The audio for the scene was taken from a recording of the work made by the great Concertgabouw Orchestra, conducted by Bernard Haitink. It is riveting.
Another scene involving a performance of Beethoven's music displays to perfection how controversial he could be. His great Grosse Fugue for string quartet was roundly panned by 19th Century critics. That happened, of course, because the work was so far ahead of its time. In the movie, the audience gradually walks out of the premier performance and the Grand Duke even tells Beethoven how terrible he thinks it is. The Grosse Fugue has gained wider acceptance but is still among Beethoven's hardest to perform and least approachable works.
I love Beethoven's music, so I was immediately captivated by the movie. It didn't let me down. Highly recommended.
The high point of the movie for me was its portrayal of the first performance of the 9th Symphony, with Anna, who is hidden from the audience, doing the conducting, which the deaf Beethoven follows. The audio for the scene was taken from a recording of the work made by the great Concertgabouw Orchestra, conducted by Bernard Haitink. It is riveting.
Another scene involving a performance of Beethoven's music displays to perfection how controversial he could be. His great Grosse Fugue for string quartet was roundly panned by 19th Century critics. That happened, of course, because the work was so far ahead of its time. In the movie, the audience gradually walks out of the premier performance and the Grand Duke even tells Beethoven how terrible he thinks it is. The Grosse Fugue has gained wider acceptance but is still among Beethoven's hardest to perform and least approachable works.
I love Beethoven's music, so I was immediately captivated by the movie. It didn't let me down. Highly recommended.