Copying Beethoven

Copying Beethoven

Anna Holtz

Wenzel Schlemmer

Ludwig van Beethoven

Rudy

Krenski

Magda

Mother Canisius

Schuppanzigh

Karl van Beethoven

Neighbor

Archduke Rudolph

Judge

Stefan Holtz

Doctor (as Gyorgy Mendel)

The film was originally written with Anthony Hopkins in mind, for the role of Ludwig van Beethoven.

In an interview with The Guardian on August 11, 2007, Ed Harris stated that his biggest disappointment has been "The distribution of Copying Beethoven in the US." He also claimed the most important lesson life has taught him is "Don't let MGM distribute a film you care about."

Bill Stewart died shortly after its release.

After Anna Holtz catches Karl van Beethoven stealing and Karl runs out the door, Anna quickly runs to her desk takes off her jacket. In the next shot it is back on and she takes it off again.

Early on, in her scene with Schlemmer, Anna informs us that the premier will be on Sunday. May 7, 1824, was in fact a Friday.

The film depicts Beethoven conducting the premier of his Ninth Symphony with Anna's help and at the end her turning him around at the podium to see the thunderous applause. In reality, Michael Umlauf conducted and although Beethoven was on stage keeping tempo, the orchestra had been told to ignore him. At the end of the performance it was one of the soloists, Caroline Unger, who turned him around to see the enthusiastic applause of the audience.

Ludwig van Beethoven: An artist is someone who has learnt to trust in himself!

Ludwig van Beethoven: The vibrations on the air are the breath of God speaking to man's soul. Music is the language of God. We musicians are as close to God as man can be. We hear his voice, we read his lips, we give birth to the children of God, who sing his praise. That's what musicians are.

Ludwig van Beethoven: I'm a very difficult person, Anna Holtz, but I take comfort in the fact that God made me that way.