Immortal Beloved

Eulogy delivered by Franz Grillpazer in the Wahring Cemetery at the Maestro's funeral:Ludwig van Beethoven, the man who inherited and increased, the immortal fame of Handel and Bach of Haydn and Mozart is now no more.He was an artist. And who will stand beside him? He was an artist. And what he was, he was only through music.The thorns of life had wounded him deeply. So he held fast to his art even when the gate through which it entered was shut. Music spoke through a deafened ear to he who could no longer hear it. He carried the music in his heart.Because he shut himself off from the world, they called him hostile. They said he was unfeeling and called him callous. But he was not hard of heart.It is the finest blades that are most easily blunted, bent or broken. He withdrew from his fellow man after he had given them everything and had received nothing in return. He lived alone because he found no second self.Thus he was. Thus he died. Thus he will live for all time.***Immortal Beloved is a film that deeply affected not only the course of my life, but also the quality. Yes, I was very much aware of Beethoven before seeing this movie and I had heard the bulk of his music being an active listener of classical music and a student performer. But after seeing the dramatization of some of the more "stormy" and "troubling" portions of his life, played aptly by Gary Oldman, in this lavish production for the modern audience, I came away with an even deeper understanding of not just this man's music, but his contribution for all of us, music as a whole and music as something alive.Mstistlav Rostropovich, now deceased and much missed, stated that he felt that Beethoven and Mozart did not die, that yes, they still exist -- even if on a subatomic level, and primarily because of the legacy of the music and the immense amount of love that the world has for them and always will. Thus, the music keeps them alive with every new student at the piano, violin or cello.This Epic Masterpice opens, surprisingly, with a vividness that is reminiscent in films like Dr. Zhivago, Lawrence of Arabia, Spartacus or Ben Hur and drops you into this now vanished historical Vienna like a fly on the wall and is done so well, one might just believe that it actually is Vienna. The swelling sound of the `Missa Solemnis' in the background is yet another example of Beethoven's genius to create something new, rather than re-interpret the Stabat Mater as was traditionally done by all his predecessors. Most of the film was actually shot in the Czech Republic which had been almost forgotten by the process of modernization. Street lights, payphones, stoplights, road signs, power lines, television antenna - you name it. This is also the same location where they had filmed the much hyped and beloved `Amadeus', and for the exact same reason and a whole decade earlier.As blasphemous as this might sound to some, it is my contention that Ludwig van Beethoven is probably the most influential and important living being that has ever graced our people. In one thousand, five thousand, ten thousand years from now, as abstract of an idea as that is to some, young children will still be setting down at pianos to learn his sonatas, his symphonies and his Fur Elise. His work will be mainstay in the progress of mankind. I will save any and all comment about Jesus Christ, as that is a conversation for another forum. But the unfortunate, but struggling truth about religion, is that it is not as equal to all of us as music is. A Hindu family or a Buddhist family, for example, with no desire for Christianity may never experience the Bible, but they'll happily play `Sonata Quasi una Fantasia' in their living rooms and fully enjoy the work for what it is. For these reasons, Herr Beethoven will live on forever and influence billions more of us in the many years to come, thus enriching the human experience where the words of our prophets may fall deafly or unheard.The stigma that seems to follow this film, from reading all the reviews online that came out during its release, the reviews on Amazon, the comments on IMDb, is that people bemoan that it is a Hollywood production. Probably in time, this stigma will fade, as the unpopular machine that Hollywood is today, won't last. Bernard Rose is a wonderfully knowledgeable and passionate Director and musician who labored over the idea of this film, wrote the screenplay and orchestrated its creation. The stigma that this film is a Hollywood production and that it misses the mark on Beethoven's life is not just grossly unfair, but inaccurate. People often comment that `Amadeus' is a better film when they talk about 'Immortal Beloved', I guess because they are equally two movies about famous composers. But the real truth is that `Amadeus' is a fictionalized version of a stage play titled `Mozart & Salieri'. 'Immortal Beloved' is historically rich and a close and accurate portrayal of the events of Beethoven's life and the lives of those that he was closest to.Joahnna ter Steege plays the part of Johanna Reiss / van Beethoven who Bernard Rose believes, beyond a shadow of a doubt, is the actual `Immortal Beloved' of the very illustrious and now famous love letters that were found after his death. Without going into detail about why he felt this way, I'll just say that 'obsession' had a lot to do with it. `Beethoven's Letters' is an excellent source book for anyone interested in reading his personal letters in their complete and translated glory. Ivory Tower academians seem to disagree with Rose about his choice, but most of those that disagree, all seem to have books that they're pushing about some other woman that you may, or may not have heard of.Also to note, most of those that disagree with Bernard Rose, take him to be a novice, a buffoon and a bounder on the subject of Ludwig van Beethoven and all typically attack him as a non-musician who has little to no knowledge of the composer. They also seem to be in lock-step about how he egregiously gives our beloved, but ugly hero the Hollywood treatment. One needs to just listen to the incredibly informative and very telling Director's Commentary buried within the disc to learn that this is not the case in the slightest. You'll not only come to learn that Bernard Rose has been a fervent musician since childhood, but also incredibly well-read on the subject of the Maestro.Some of my favourite scenes in the movie involve the character of Anton Schindler, Beethoven's secretary and friend, also played wonderfully by Jeroen Krabbe. Jeroen was actually called upon to originally play Beethoven in this, but gracefully stepped aside when he learned that Gary Oldman was successful in being cast. A tear usually wells up in my eyes when I hear the Largo from `The "Ghost" Trio' played in the garden, which is by far my favourite Beethoven piece and close to being one of my favourite music pieces of all time.I guess it must be noted that Anton Schindler, who, before his own death in 1864, published the first 'large volume biography' of Herr Beethoven in 1840. Schindler was unfortunately accused of white-washing history for the sake of hiding his friends vice and licentious behaviour. Thankfully, enough information survived to paint a better picture, but regarding Schindler's text, one shouldn't throw away the baby with the bath water.The use of multiple narration should also be noted. It's wonderful to hear all of the main characters, including the aging Hotel Frau, Nanette Streicherová, warmly and richly recounting their portions. All weaving such an enthralling and engrossing tale that you just can't look away. I must also note, that Frau "Striecher", as he spelt it, was a person who Beethoven had much correspondence with through the years and considered a friend. I think the narration is something that hardly ever gets mentioned regarding this film, but film narration is a tricky beast that is difficult to pull off and often fails. The writing here does this medium justice and is seamless in 'Immortal Beloved'.I will admit that the first time I saw this in the theatre, I was brought to tears multiple times. Consequently, when I purchased the DVD, I was equally moved on multiple occasions by so many aspects of this film that they're just to dense to list. Of this, I will spare you.I have included the eulogy in the beginning of the review, as I believe it is an integral portion of information when understanding the life of Beethoven. It is no mistake or mystery that Bernard Rose puts this at the very beginning as well, because if you listen carefully to the text, the intonation and timing of Jeroen Krabbe's delivery of it, you learn the intent and the real story that Rose is about to unfold for you. This is a real masterpiece of filmmaking in every sense of the phrase and will hold the spot as the most memorable film about Beethoven for some time to come. It will take a strong performance to best it.If Bernard Rose chose Franz Grillpazer's eulogy as the theme to `Immortal Beloved', which does seem to be the case, I don't think that we can slight him for this, as history has now documented the truth that Anton Shindler's Beethoven is imagined, while Grillpazer's flawed, tormented and misanthropic friend once lived and breathed. I don't think it's inappropriate for Bernard to have made this choice, as he has been castigated for, simply because - Grillpazer was a friend and an acquaintance, he was a neighbor and a roommate, he was someone who had casually listened to Beethoven play (a fact that destroyed their friendship) and someone who had discussed operatic collaborations with the Maestro as well.I wouldn't take Franz Grillpazer's words as the gospel, but I would come to assume that they were accurate from his point of view, from the point of view of history and also heartfelt.Having read almost every biography on Beethoven printed in English, I find Bernard Rose's Beethoven incredibly plausible and at least true to the spirit and temperament of Beethoven (and may I say, also in fact). The idea that he never chased a half-naked woman because he was "a prude" is absurd. Yes, he was a prude, but he was also known to be lecherous and doting when it came to women, he would most definitely chased half-naked women anywhere. Read Maynard Solomon's Beethoven, or his essays and then read Thayer's Life of Beethoven, a two volume set, and you'll see a vast difference. Perspective and personal bias are always inescapable.This is probably one of my top three favourite films of all time. Thanks, Bernard.Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)

Journey with me now into the heart of one of the most enduring unsolved mysteries in history: the mystery of Beethoven’s "Immortal Beloved."Sometime after Ludwig van Beethoven’s death 1827, a letter was found among the composer’s personal effects – in the words of one Beethoven biographer, "...the only unalloyed love letter of his bachelor existence” – addressed to an unidentified woman who was obviously the great love of Beethoven’s life. The mystery of exactly who was Beethoven’s "Immortal Beloved" remains unsolved to this day."Immortal Beloved," a marvelous film written and directed by Bernard Rose, seeks to explore the greatest riddle of Beethoven’s life. The film stars Gary Oldman, Jeroen Krabbé, Isabella Rossellini, Johanna ter Steege, Valeria Golino, and the music of Ludwig van Beethoven."Immortal Beloved" has many attributes of a movie biography – a "biopic" – but it would be inaccurate to characterize this film solely as such. It is, at its heart, a fanciful flight of film fantasy with historical elements mixed in, wrapped in the brilliance of early nineteenth century costumes and sets, and presented to viewers in an attempt to get to the mind of Ludwig van Beethoven through his music."Immortal Beloved" is certainly is a well acted, well written, and highly entertaining film! It’s imbued with wonderful performances from an excellent ensemble cast.Visually, "Immortal Beloved" is absolutely stunning. It was filmed in Prague and the surrounding countryside. The interior and exterior sets are mostly actual buildings in the Czech capital! As Rose points out, they were still a bit worn looking in 1994, and that added an aura of authenticity to the film. They are also gorgeous to see! Huge paintings fill gigantic halls; gold leaf encrusted, authentic nineteenth century furnishings abound. And the impeccably accurate costumes are simply brilliant.The centerpiece of "Immortal Beloved" is, of course, Beethoven’s music. From the opening moments of the film to its very end can be heard excerpts from many of Beethoven’s greatest works… at the film’s outset: Missa Solemnis, Op. 123, the only mass Beethoven ever wrote, as the backdrop to the grand funeral and eulogy of the composer; and during other key points in the film: excerpts from Piano Sonata No. 14, Op. 27, No. 2 "Moonlight;" Violin Concerto, Op. 61; Symphony No. 3, Op. 55 "Eroica;" Symphony No. 5, Op. 67; Violin Sonata No. 9, Op. 47 "Kreutzer;" Piano Concerto No. 5, Op. 73 "Emperor;" and, at the great, shattering climax of the film: excerpts from the majestic fourth movement of Symphony No. 9, Op. 125 "Choral," including Beethoven’s passionate paean to freedom, "Ode to Joy." At every turn, the music is played with perfect precision and passion at just the right pace to help tell the story and help the viewer "get into the mind" of the composer.It took a few viewings of "Immortal Beloved" for me to understand this movie for what it really is: a fantasy on the life of the man many consider to be the greatest composer of all time. The first time I watched the film (on VHS, in "pan-and-scan" format), I dismissed it as a load of utter nonsense. I’m a man who likes my history factual, and here I was watching a film with some attributes of a "biopic" and a whole lot of highly charged romantic conjecture.When I viewed "Immortal Beloved" again on Blu-ray in its original 2.40:1 widescreen format, I had the benefit of seeing the entire movie as the director intended. I was also able to watch the "special features" documentaries on the DVD, in which Bernard Rose admits that the film he’s created is a mixture of fact and fantasy... intended to "get at the mind of Beethoven through his music." Now I understood!And with that, the movie evolves from being that "load of utter nonsense" to something else: a brilliant speculation... a great "what if?" on the life of Beethoven. For me, it no longer had to be historically accurate. I now see "Immortal Beloved" as an entertaining detective story filled with an exciting new possibility to consider.As Bernard Rose says in the "Beloved Beethoven" documentary: "I dare anyone to prove me wrong!"