The incredible UNKNOWN story of Ludwig van Beethoven and the big mystery of his "Immortal Beloved!"
What a fantastic, little-advertised film is Immortal Beloved! If you are a Gary Oldman fan, you've probably already seen this one -- if not a fan, you need to give the film a try and you'll probably like it. Gary Oldman portrays Beethoven with all the warts, near-madness, rage and passion intact. Unloveable almost, except for the sympathy and compassion engendered by his deafness which humanizes him. The music is wonderful here and tries to explain the emotions behind the man.
The McGuffin of the plot hinges on a letter that was never received by his "immortal beloved."
Who is his Immortal Beloved?
Immortal Beloved, the name given by Beethoven to the woman with whom he was greatly in love. Immortal Beloved's identity remains unknown.
Letter #1 to Immortal Beloved
July 6, in the morning
Beethoven, Pink Book Art Print
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My angel, my all, my very self - Only a few words today and at that with pencil (with yours) - Not till tomorrow will my lodgings be definitely determined upon - what a useless waste of time - Why this deep sorrow when necessity speaks - can our love endure except through sacrifices, through not demanding everything from one another; can you change the fact that you are not wholly mine, I not wholly thine - Oh God, look out into the beauties of nature and comfort your heart with that which must be - Love demands everything and that very justly - thus it is to me with you, and to your with me.
But you forget so easily that I must live for me and for you; if we were wholly united you would feel the pain of it as little as I - My journey was a fearful one; I did not reach here until 4 o'clock yesterday morning. Lacking horses the post-coach chose another route, but what an awful one; at the stage before the last I was warned not to travel at night; I was made fearful of a forest, but that only made me the more eager - and I was wrong.
The coach must needs break down on the wretched road, a bottomless mud road. Without such postilions as I had with me I should have remained stuck in the road. Esterhazy, traveling the usual road here, had the same fate with eight horses that I had with four - Yet I got some pleasure out of it, as I always do when I successfully overcome difficulties - Now a quick change to things internal from things external. We shall surely see each other soon; moreover, today I cannot share with you the thoughts I have had during these last few days touching my own life - If our hearts were always close together, I would have none of these. My heart is full of so many things to say to you - ah - there are moments when I feel that speech amounts to nothing at all - Cheer up - remain my true, my only treasure, my all as I am yours. The gods must send us the rest, what for us must and shall be - Your faithful LUDWIG.
I Love Immortal Beloved
Immortal Beloved
Amazon Price: $11.99 (as of 12/27/2009)
Who would have known that Ludwig von Beethoven was such an intriguing character -- a man of genius. This movie is captivating with a host of passionate women that engaged Beethoven's life. It's also a bit of a mystery story.
Letter #2 to Immortal Beloved
Evening, Monday, July 6
Beethoven, Yellow Book Art Print
Warhol, Andy
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You are suffering, my dearest creature - only now have I learned that letters must be posted very early in the morning on Mondays to Thursdays - the only days on which the mail-coach goes from here to K. - You are suffering - Ah, wherever I am, there you are also - I will arrange it with you and me that I can live with you. What a life!!! thus!!! without you - pursued by the goodness of mankind hither and thither - which I as little want to deserve as I deserve it - Humility of man towards man - it pains me - and when I consider myself in relation to the universe, what am I and what is He - whom we call the greatest - and yet - herein lies the divine in man - I weep when I reflect that you will probably not receive the first report from me until Saturday - Much as you love me - I love you more - But do not ever conceal yourself from me - good night - As I am taking the baths I must go to bed - Oh God - so near! so far! Is not our love truly a heavenly structure, and also as firm as the vault of heaven?
The scoop on Ludwig van Beethoven
The central figure of Immortal Beloved
Category: File - :Beethoven.jpg|right|thumb|250px|A portrait by Joseph Karl Stieler, 1820
Category: File - :Beethoven Signature.svg|right|250px
Ludwig van Beethoven ( (U.S.) or (UK); ; baptised 17 December 1770Beethoven was baptised on 17 December. His date of birth was often, in the past, given as 16 December, however this is not known with certainty; his family celebrated his birthday on that date, but there is no documentary evidence that his birth was actually on 16 December. ? 26 March 1827) was a German composer and pianist. He was a crucial figure in the transitional period between the Classical and Romantic eras in Western classical music, and remains one of the most acclaimed and influential composers of all time.
Born in Bonn, of the Electorate of Cologne and a part of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation in present-day Germany, he moved to Vienna in his early twenties and settled there, studying with Joseph Haydn and quickly gaining a reputation as a virtuoso pianist. His hearing began to deteriorate in the late 1790s, yet he continued to compose, conduct, and perform, even after becoming completely deaf.
Letter #3 to Immortal Beloved
Good morning, on July 7
Beethoven, c.1987 (blue face) Premium Giclee Print
Warhol, Andy
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Though still in bed, my thoughts go out to you, my Immortal Beloved, now and then joyfully, then sadly, waiting to learn whether or not fate will hear us - I can live only wholly with you or not at all - Yes, I am resolved to wander so long away from you until I can fly to your arms and say that I am really at home with you, and can send my soul enwrapped in you into the land of spirits - Yes, unhappily it must be so - You will be the more contained since you know my fidelity to you. No one else can ever possess my heart - never - never - Oh God, why must one be parted from one whom one so loves. And yet my life in V is now a wretched life -
Your love makes me at once the happiest and the unhappiest of men - At my age I need a steady, quiet life - can that be so in our connection? My angel, I have just been told that the mailcoach goes every day - therefore I must close at once so that you may receive the letter at once - Be calm, only by a calm consideration of our existence can we achieve our purpose to live together - Be calm - love me - today - yesterday - what tearful longings for you - you - you - my life - my all - farewell. Oh continue to love me - never misjudge the most faithful heart of your beloved.
ever thine
ever mine
ever ours
The scoop on Immortal Beloved
Immortal Beloved is a 1994 film about the life of composer Ludwig van Beethoven (played by Gary Oldman). The story follows Beethoven's secretary and first biographer Anton Schindler (Jeroen Krabbé) as he attempts to ascertain the true identity of the Unsterbliche Geliebte (Immortal Beloved) addressed in three letters found in the late composer's private papers. Schindler journeys throughout the Austrian Empire interviewing women who might be potential candidates as well as through Beethoven's own tumultuous life.
Immortal Beloved Stats
Best Immortal Beloved Quotes: Sound off
Vote for your favorites, or add a new one.
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Beethoven: It is the power of music to carry one directly into the mental state of the composer. The listener has no choice. It is like hypnotism.
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Anton Felix Schindler: There can be no peace without the truth.
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Frau Streicher: Best thing for him. He was a terrible man.
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Who is the Immortal Beloved?
Johanna van Beethoven
Antonie Brentano
Therese von Brunswick
Countess Anna-Marie Erdody
Giulietta Guicciardi
Undisclosed Evidence for His Immortal Beloved
Beethoven: Man of His Word : Undisclosed Evidence for His Immortal Beloved
Amazon Price: (as of 12/27/2009)
Many biographies of the composer Beethoven have been distorted by misunderstandings, misinterpretations and even falsehoods. This book takes a fresh look at Beethoven's romantic relationships, including the evidence for his Immortal Beloved. It puts quotes back into the historical and literary contexts from which they have been taken, untangles misconceptions and mistranslations, and using common sense and a sense of humor presents a highly readable biography focusing on Beethoven's much-maligned life and love life.
Best Scene Ever
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Beethoven, c.1987 (blue face) Framed Art Print
Warhol, Andy
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Beethoven & Giulietta Guicciardi First Encounter
Beethoven: [sitting secluded in a darkened corner, more...0 points
Immortal Beloved music
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Other Immortal Beloved sites worth visiting
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http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110116/
The movie database info on Immortal Beloved, the f more...0 points
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http://www.physics.usyd.edu.au/~simonj/lvb/ib.html
The Immortal Beloved -- What was found in Beethove more...0 points
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http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/immortal_beloved/
Reviews from top critics on the film, Immortal Bel more...0 points
The buzz on Immortal Beloved
- Scenes We Love: Immortal Beloved - Cinematical
- I've written briefly about this scene before, a few years ago, when I retro reviewed Immortal Belove...
- immortal beloved
- cristinabe posted a photo: immortal beloved. so hip.
- BrightestYoungThings: PHOTOS: Immortal Style Party @ Immortal Beloved
- The crowd was a testament to 'Immortal Beloved' salon owner Kelly Gorsuch, who opened the space on C...
- Slater Bradley at Team - artnet Magazine
- IMMORTAL BELOVED by Elisabeth Kley. Slater Bradley studies the mournful aura of Joy Division.
Drop me a line ...
Did you adore this movie as much as I did? Are you a Gary Oldman fan? Who do you think the Immortal Beloved IS???
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Reply
- Tipi Tipi Dec 29, 2008 @ 8:39 am
- Sounds like a great movie to see. At your recommendation, I may have to get a copy to add to my movie collection! Have a great New Year Julie!
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Reply
- glowchick glowchick Nov 7, 2008 @ 4:25 pm
- I did love this movie, and i thought ary did a fantastic job.
Also, great info,,, lots of great stuff here.
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