The Ninth Symphony Premiere
Much of the film centers on Beethoven's insistence on conducting his own work, particularly the premiere of his Ninth Symphony (1824). The arrangement of sharing the work of conducting so that Beethoven could appear on the podium and influence the performance despite his deafness, actually did take place. Beethoven's colleague was named Michael Umlauf, the musical director of the Kärntnertor theater where the premiere took place. The two stood together on the podium; Umlauf did not lurk secretly amid the orchestra players as in the film.
The tale that Beethoven had to be turned around to be aware of the audience's applause is apparently authentic.
For further details on the premiere, see Symphony No. 9 (Beethoven).
Read more about this topic: Copying Beethoven
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