composer,classical music,woman director,fictional biography,19th century

Copying Beethoven (2006)

Poster for Copying Beethoven

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

Director
Agnieszka Holland
  • Profile picture of Ed Harris
    Ludwig van Beethoven Ed Harris
  • Profile picture of Diane Kruger
    Anna Holtz Diane Kruger
  • Profile picture of Matthew Goode
    Martin Bauer Matthew Goode
  • Profile picture of Phyllida Law
    Mother Canisius Phyllida Law
  • Profile picture of Ralph Riach
    Wenzel Schlemmer Ralph Riach
  • Profile picture of Bill Stewart
    Rudy Bill Stewart
  • Profile picture of Angus Barnett
    Krenski Angus Barnett
  • Profile picture of Matyelok Gibbs
    Old Woman Matyelok Gibbs

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Keywords

  • composer
  • classical music
  • woman director
  • fictional biography
  • 19th century