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A Slice of Life
by Francine Brokaw
Copying Beethoven
The final years of the legendary composer are played out onscreen in this interesting and oftentimes harsh look at his life and work. For those who love his music, this film is a wonderful way to connect to the man who, although deaf, composed some of the world’s finest symphonies and other compositions.
The story focuses on Anna Holtz (Diane Kruger), a 23-year-old aspiring composer who takes a job as the copyist for Beethoven (Ed Harris). In that time it was rare for a woman to do such a job, and even to aspire to be a composer, but Anna Holtz was special. She formed a bond with Beethoven that endured through tough time.
“I’m a very difficult person, Anna Holtz,” said the composer, “but I take comfort in that God made me that way.” The film shows how Beethoven was a loner, but also never alone because, as he put it, music filled his head all the time. That music in his head became the compositions that have lasted through time and have been heard by generations of people. “Loneliness is my religion,” he states, but that religion offered him the greatest love of all – the love of music. If “music is the language of God,” Beethoven spoke it better than any human being.
The film begins with Beethoven as he is finishing his ninth symphony and continues through his now-legendary Grosse Fugue, which, at the time was met by distaste and completely shunned. He was revolutionary in his music. His final symphony added a chorus in the last movement, something new in the filed of classical music.
While doting on his nephew Karl, Beethoven wanted his blood relative to follow in his footsteps, but that was not to be. Beethoven suffered greatly during his life, both emotionally and physically. Yet this man who died in 1827 has influenced music through the centuries. Even Schroeder from the legendary comic strip Peanuts revered Beethoven. Out of all the composers in history, Beethoven was chosen to be Schroeder’s idol.
Copying Beethoven is a wonderful film for music lovers and also those who know nothing about music or its history. It is a brief look at the legendary composer and is filled with his music from start to finish.
© 2006 Francine Brokaw
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