Copying Beethoven

Overview

A fictionalised exploration of Beethoven's life in his final days working on his Ninth Symphony. It is 1824. Beethoven is racing to finish his new symphony. However, it has been years since his last success and he is plagued by deafness, loneliness and personal trauma. A copyist is urgently needed to help the composer. A fictional character is introduced in the form of a young conservatory student and aspiring composer named Anna Holtz. The mercurial Beethoven is skeptical that a woman might become involved in his masterpiece but slowly comes to trust in Anna's assistance and in the end becomes quite fond of her. By the time the piece is performed, her presence in his life is an absolute necessity. Her deep understanding of his work is such that she even corrects mistakes he has made, while her passionate personality opens a door into his private world.

Cast & Crew

Agnieszka Holland

Director

Ed Harris

Ludwig van Beethoven

Diane Kruger

Anna Holtz

Matthew Goode

Martin Bauer

Phyllida Law

Mother Canisius

Ralph Riach

Wenzel Schlemmer

Bill Stewart

Rudy

Stills