Immortal Beloved Page #2

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I have an appointment.

She has a piano.

A gentleman is here to see you.

He says he's your new music teacher.

Father, there has been a mistake.

This man is a common oat.

He accosted me last night.

Send him away at once.

I will not! It would be a shame

on our household.

Sir?

May i present Ludwig van Beethoven?

So you must attend my next recital.

I heard you last week.

I remember.

The music was beautiful.

Surely not that bad.

I found the playing exquisite.

It's that damned Beethoven

I can't stand.

People only claim to admire his stuff

so as not to seem ignorant.

My dear husband, don't confirm

your stupidity in front of the guests.

We all speak frankly here.

Tell us your opinion.

Heavens, no.

I was not looking for flattery.

It was too clipped and staccato.

There was not enough singing tone.

Julia, as you can see, is being taught

by the maestro himself.

What?

He comes every day to the house.

Every day?

Is that wise?

Why do you say that?

He's a harsh teacher.

He's a scoundrel

and a republican.

It is even said that he is

a follower of Napoleon.

He'd have us all in the arms

of Madame La Guillotine.

He travels in polite society

on his reputation as a virtuoso...

but flies into a fit if anyone...

even dares suggest

he sit at the keyboard.

Why will he no longer play?

Beethoven is a strange

and obstinate man.

He says it makes him

feel like a servant...

and he serves no masters.

But he takes the money.

You think because I did not stop you

that I am not listening.

A mistake is nothing.

But the fact that

you thump out the notes...

without the least sensitivity

to their meaning is unforgivable.

And your lack of passion

is unforgivable.

I shall have to beat you.

I am writing a new symphony.

It will cause a scandal

because of its subject.

- Tell me.

- Here. Take my arm.

They should make way for us,

not us for them!

Their days are over.

Your world is finished!

Oh, shut up!

When I was a boy, they would have

had you arrested for less.

But now they are scared

of what is happening in France.

- You know why wigs went out of fashion?

- Why?

Because too many ended up

in the bottom of baskets.

But I am a countess, too, Luigi.

They are scared.

Scared of Napoleon.

That is why Napoleon

is the subject of my symphony.

I have here

a proposal of marriage..

from a composer.

- Count Gallenberg.

- Oh.

You were thinking of Beethoven?

Julia, the gossip is everywhere.

- He also has proposed.

- Then there is no contest.

- You love Beethoven?

- Yes.

I cannot give my consent.

We are not wealthy, Julia.

He is a man without rank,

fortune or permanent engagement.

His character and temperament

are so peculiar that I doubt...

any would find happiness with him.

- He's a genius.

- Perhaps.

But in the last year he has not

played nor published a single note.

There are those who say there is

some infirmity that prevents him.

Untrue gossip! Lies!

Has he played for you?

We made a bargain. If I could

prove Luigi could still play...

Father would give his consent.

Obviously a fine countess.

Dear brother...

you are going up in the world.

Hand it over, you ignoramus.

As your secretary,

it is my solemn duty to read this.

"Beloved Luigi, my father

has recently taken delivery...

of a new pianoforte

from Broadwood in London.

It is of the latest design and is

the first of its kind in Vienna.

Tomorrow morning I will send away

the servants and we shall all be out.

I have done this so that you might try

this new invention undisturbed".

What is the meaning of this? What

kind of trick have you played on me?

Stop it, Luigi.

- Herr Beethoven, I beg you.

- Now I see.

- I see perfectly.

- We mean you no harm.

- A little test!

- Luigi, wait!

It is terrible to rob me

in this way...

of my most treasured feelings!

Father can go to hell!

I bid you wait!

It's no use. He can't hear you!

He's deaf!

A month later

I married Count Gallenberg.

And you never heard from him again?

He wrote to me.

It was...

After the war,

there had been some...

unpleasantness.

It was a bad time.

They who think me hostile...

obstinate or misanthropic...

how unjust they are to me...

for they do not know

the secret reason I appear that way.

It is not possible for me

to say, "Speak louder.

Shout. I am deaf".

How can I live if my enemies,

who are many...

believe I no longer possess

the one sense that should be perfect...

to a higher degree in me

than in others?

Not so fast.

So what will you do?

See every shallow countess

Ludwig gave a dedication to?

They are all liars

who want a piece of him now he is gone.

I have the lady's signature.

I shall study his correspondence

to find the hand that matches.

It is illegible.

You are wasting your time.

- No court will uphold this nonsense.

- Help me then.

Are you mad?

Help you to cheat me?

I will tell you this.

There is no lady

at the end of your search.

Ludwig was a woman hater.

Look at how he behaved with Johanna.

He had every right. Your brother

took a bride of low character.

You are too much under Ludwig's

influence to see the truth.

He wanted Caspar under his thumb.

Running his errands.

He hated Johanna

because she took him away.

There she is.

Oh, she's so beautiful.

- A marvelous creature.

- She will be mine.

So, you would betray me for that?

Where is your book? Here.

Willingly.

She can be bought.

- All women can be bought.

- You are insulting the woman I love.

At first, it will

be all enticements.

Then, snap! The trap shuts.

There's always a price to pay.

I would never betray you

for one of those creatures.

Brothers, I have wonderful news.

She has finally consented.

- You are to be wed?

- Yes!

You explain to him.

May I...

present my bride?

Is this a joke?

You cannot be serious.

By all means, copulate with her.

But marriage? What for?

You will be a laughingstock.

Every farmhand in the region

has enjoyed her for free.

Why should you pay more?

I know you cannot hear me,

and I don't care.

What I have to say

is for Caspar, not you.

I have had lovers...

but that is not a crime.

I told you it was impossible.

I only want what is right.

He was jealous of his brother.

Why, she will destroy him.

Jealous of his happiness.

I'm Ludwig van Beethoven,

and I need your help.

Break the door down.

What are you playing at?

Arrest that whore.

- Don't touch her!

- Arrest that whore.

That is slander.

We were married yesterday.

She is with child.

Now leave!

He behaved no better

when I married Therese.

He wanted us both

at his beck and call.

Give up the search.

I cannot.

I have my reasons.

I will find this lady.

And she will claim her legacy

with the full force of the law.

"The journey was dreadful.

The coach had to go and break

down on such a terrible road.

And for no reason,

just a country road.

I have to see you.

However much you love me,

I love you more.

Never hide yourself from me".

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