Immortal Beloved

After Beethoven dies, Schindler reads his will and discovers the estate and his music are bequeathed to an unnamed 'immortal beloved'. This revelation sets Schindler on a quest to uncover who that woman was. The search will lead him through Beethoven's past loves and family ties.

In a flashback, Giulietta, Beethoven's pupil, falls for him and he proposes. Her father disapproves, and Beethoven tries to prove he can still play by performing on the pianoforte. He is suddenly revealed to be deaf, a realization that shatters the moment and ends their closeness.

Beethoven is taken in by Anna-Marie after a performance is mocked by the crowd, highlighting his deafness. Napoleon's attack on Vienna in 1809 brings tragedy when her young son is killed, and Beethoven consoles her. A love affair blossoms, though she denies being the Immortal Beloved.

Beethoven disapproves of his brother's marriage to Johanna Reiss and even attempts to have her arrested. The conflict exposes the fractures within the family and foreshadows the complex past that surrounds Karl. Schindler's investigation will later reveal more about these ties.

With his brother's death, Beethoven gains custody of Karl and becomes obsessed with turning him into a prodigy. He spends long hours pushing the boy to perfect his craft, neglecting his own career in the process. Karl resents the pressure and ignores his uncle's ambitions.

Karl grows into a teenager who resists his uncle's demands. Despite constant practice, he has no real talent, and the pressure leads him to attempt suicide. He survives and declares he never wants to see Beethoven again, widening the rift between them.

Schindler learns that Karl is actually Beethoven's son, conceived before Johanna's marriage. He also discovers that Johanna is the Immortal Beloved, the woman Beethoven cherished yet could never fully be with. The revelations refract decades of pain, jealousy, and longing.

Beethoven and Johanna had intended to elope, but a delay prevented it. He writes the Immortal Beloved letter to let her know, yet the missive never reaches her in time. The unrealized plan haunts both of them as their lives diverge.

Johanna marries Beethoven's brother, convinced that he has abandoned her. The marriage becomes a source of bitterness and misunderstanding on both sides, shaping the later path toward reconciliation. The estrangement lingers into old age.

When the Ninth Symphony is performed, Johanna is moved to forgive Beethoven, recognizing the life’s suffering and devotion behind his work. The music acts as a bridge across their broken past, hinting at reconciliation. The forgiveness deepens as they approach his death.

On his deathbed, Beethoven signs a letter giving Johanna custody over Karl, solidifying the outcome of their long, complicated histories. Schindler ensures the document is delivered and care is taken for Karl's future. The act seals the final arrangements between the families.

Schindler presents Johanna with the Immortal Beloved letter, which she reads with mixed emotion and newfound understanding. She visits Beethoven's grave to honor his memory and seek closure. The film closes on a note of reconciliation born from a lifetime of untold stories.