Good evening, child.
Evening, Mama.
Home already? I'm so happy.
Mama...
Not so fast.
Please. Leave me be. I'm tired.
I can quite believe it.
Your last pupil left 3 hours ago.
Might I know where you've been all this time?
Please.
No, you don't. Not until you tell me!
No.
I went for a walk. Do you mind?
I spent 8 hours in my cage. I was tired and needed some air.
- For three hours? - Absolutely!
Magnificent.
Just as I thought.
Where's the bankbook?
10,000 Schillings!
Tell me, have you lost your mind?
Where's my grey Autumn suit?
No idea.
Give that back.
No.
Bitch!
I remember that talk show.
The guy advocated fines for dog owners
whose dogs crap in the street.
Bullshit.
The creep was defending the idea that women are inferior to men.
Rubbish.
If you'd let me get a word in...
Who rattled your cage!
Should cut your hands off.
Beating your own mother!
That frock was far too gaudy anyway.
At your age, you should know what suits you.
Can't you stop, you cow?
Wasn't ruining that enough for you?
- I wish... - What?
You daren't say it?
Don't bother. I know what you wish.
I could have had a heart attack from the agitation.
If that's what you want, go ahead.
Stop it, Mama, you don't know what you're saying.
There's a real hole here.
Here, too.
Sorry.
But why do you do these things?
Why do you do these things?
I'm sorry. Truly sorry.
Let me look.
Never mind that.
That's how it is. We're a hot-blooded family.
Come on, stop crying.
I'll make some coffee.
We'll have a cup together. Okay?
Nothing in life comes free.
You'll just have to give more private lessons.
Your vanity must not stop us buying our apartment.
You can't contradict me there.
I paid this month's instalment long ago, don't worry.
In any case, the dress only cost 6,500.
I'll pay the remainder back in tomorrow.
I don't understand
why someone of your standing slaps make-up on
and fritters money away
on frocks that will soon be out of fashion.
I'd be wearing that dress for years. The cut was so classical.
It was ageless.
If memory serves me right,
you used to have a dress just like it. Remember?
You must be dreaming.
It was a designer label. The finishing was remarkable.
It would have lasted forever.
Do you still need the light?
Did they really annoy you today?
No more than usual.
Did you have the Schober girl? Isn't Friday her day?
Well?
She's not untalented.
She has a surprising affinity for Schubert.
Schubert's your department, don't forget.
That's not for you to say.
You're hardly a judge of what is my department musically.
If you want your pupils to have a career instead of you...
Mama...
No one must surpass you, my girl.
No Mama.
Don't be dizzy...
Erika.
Don't worry, Mama.
THE PIANO TEACHER
A little less pedal wouldn't go amiss.
It's not enough just to take your foot off.
A note may not be as long as it is written
and may not be marked as long as it should be held.
from the novel by ELFRIEDE JELINEK
And two, and three and four...
And one, and two, and three and four...
And one, and two...
Dogs are barking,
Rattling their chains.
People are sleeping
In their beds.
Do you have no ear for what coldness is?
Or maybe you're just sloppy?
And let go.
The music is not purely descriptive.
And it's not drenched in indifference and sentimentality.
And let go.
You see?
Dogs are barking,
Rattling their chains.
People are sleeping
In their beds.
A wrong note in Beethoven is better than bad interpretation.
You play only phrases.
Ignore the structure and you'll ruin the sonata.
Back to the top of the page.
I guessed you were for the recital.
Allow me to introduce...
Professor, please, do come in.
Hello, Auntie.
And your mother. Good evening.
You've met my nephew?
I was about to introduce myself. My name's Walter Klemmer.
At the risk of seeming prosaic,
after sampling spiritual nourishment of such quality,
I've organised, for the interval, a buffet
to sustain the artists
and, I hope, for your pleasure, too.
Through here.
My husband's very particular...
Excuse me, Auntie.
Sorry to interrupt but I can't wait.
I hope it's not too forward of me to kiss the hand
that plays such Bach.
You can stop now.
Where do you get such unfashionable enthusiasm?
I'm delighted the tradition of recitals lives on.
It was practically extinct.
The masters die, then their music.
People today only ever listen to pop or rock.
You're right. Families like this are no more.
Generations of laryngologists
toiled over Beethoven's last quartets.
Now, at best, academics stamp their feet in time
to the trumpety-trumps of Bruckner.
Disdaining Bruckner is immature,
Mr... Klemmer?
Tell me, what enables you to talk about music so precociously?
Your Aunt said you studied...
Low voltage, professor. Low voltage.
It was made between 1620 and 1630 by Marcel Pichler.
From Hallein. A rare piece.
Here.
It is played
like a cello.
Its common name is leg viol or quinton.
Recently, I found a painting that exactly shows this instrument.
Not this type of instrument. I mean, specifically this instrument.
The painting depicts a concert of viole da gamba
at the court of Duke Augustus von Braunschweig-Wolfenbuttel.
- Can I fetch you something? - Not at all. Why?
It's fascinating.
Look at them.
Do they give a fig about the benefits of illness?
Have you read Adorno
on Schumann's Fantasia in C Major?
No.
He talks of his twilight.
It's not Schumann bereft of reason, but just before.
A fraction before.
He knows he's losing his mind.
It torments him but he clings on, one last time.
It's being aware of what it means to lose oneself
before being completely abandoned.
I'd say you are a good teacher.
Thank you.
You talk about things as if they were yours. It's rare.
And I think you know it.
Schubert and Schumann are my favourites, that's all.
Since my father died completely mad in Steinhof asylum,
I can talk easily about the twilight of the mind, can't I?
If you'd really prefer not to eat,
perhaps you'd care for a drink of something?
Go ahead.
I had to sing for my supper.
Dr. Blonsky with his instrument fetish is such a bore.
Honestly,
Klemmer, or whatever he's called, seems a bit of a leech?
Walter studies at the Engineering School.
But his musicality keeps up with technology,
as you will understand when you listen to him play.
Over to you, Walter."
My uncle exaggerates shamelessly.
After the professor's performance, I feel doubly amateur.
I had intended to play for you Schenberg's Opus 33b,
so that my wrong notes might go unnoticed.
Not very funny, I know.
But a discussion of Schubert and Schumann's madness
left me deeply impressed.
I have decided to drop Schenberg
for my favourite piece by Schubert:
the Scherzo from the Sonata in A Major.
...Dreaming of what they don't have, replenished of good and bad.
And next morning, all flown away.
And here, the mood switches to irony.
D... D... D...
So what? So what?
They've had their pleasure.
D... D... D...
That's the obstinacy of the complacent middle-class.
And they hope that what they left behind
Might be waiting for them on the pillows.
Excuse me, Professor.
Can I have a word?
Go ahead.
Anna says you may not let her play in the jubilee concert.
I said a soloist needs more than talent.
She doesn't practice enough?
Only she can tell.
She works 8 hours a day.
It's the end result that counts, not the hours.
For her, only music counts. Look at her.
Schubert isn't a walk in the park.
I didn't say you wouldn't play.
We'll see how you gel with the singer.
Excuse me, I have a rehearsal. Goodbye.
The Professor is right.
Without total commitment, you won't get anywhere.
Wipe your nose. What do you look like?
Your mother wants you to call her.
I've only just arrived.
I don't know. At least 3 hours.
No! please Mama...
In that case, I'll take a taxi.
Yes!
I'm not a baby.
I have to go now.
Can we play the trill the same? I'll start on the upper note.
Yes!
Sorry to disturb you.
What is it?
Professor Kohut?
What do you want?
At the Conservatory, no one interrupts lessons.
I apologise. I am very sorry
but I wanted to come to you rather than ask just anybody.
About what?
The entrance exam. I want to join your master class.
That's very flattering, young man.
I hope your interruption
is not to arouse interest your talents don't merit.
Application forms are available in the secretary's office.
First floor, door 11.
Please excuse us, we have work to do.
Continue.
Go on.
Mr. Klemmer!
Hello,
- Mr. Walter Klemmer? - That's correct.
Please...
Your programme is particularly difficult.
Where do you wish to begin?
Wherever you prefer.
Professor, it's your class that Mr. Klemmer wishes to join:
which piece would you like to hear first?
don't mind. The first on the list.
Go ahead.
Well?
Stunningly brilliant.
No, seriously, I think it wasn't too bad.
He just put "private lessons".
That's even more remarkable.
I don't know how seriously he takes his engineering
but for someone whose priority is not the piano, bravo.
It's amazing.
I quite agree. He truly is very talented.
Ladies? Gentlemen?
- I vote for. - Yes, me too.
No doubt about it.
What do you say?
Your opinion counts most. He's applying to join your class.
After such euphoria, it's hard to voice reservations.
I can't say I totally share your enthusiasm.
Clearly he doesn't lack talent but I wonder,
and I ask you, what does he expect from us?
For a professional career, he's too old.
By accepting him, we'll reject a more motivated student.
And, frankly, I find his histrionics suspicious or even unpleasant.
I don't see what you mean.
In the Andantino, there were no histrionics, as you put it.
Everyone knows our views on Schubert diverge.
Please, let's not waste time. 20 people are waiting.
I feel unable to nurture the artistic temperament
or virtuosity of Mr. Klemmer.
Dinner's ready!
Coming, Mama!
Sit down, I'll bring the sauce.
Can I switch off the TV?
If it bothers you.
Don't you like that?
I'm tired.
You look it.
Are the auditions so exhausting?
Boring, rather.
That's tiring, too.
What's wrong with you?
- What do you mean? - Look.
Is that why you're in a bad mood?
You might be more careful.
It's not very appetising.
Mare on heat seeks ardent, successful stallion,
for jumping and dressage.
Must be 8 inches.
Hello, Mr. Naprawnik.
Hello, teacher
Who's she?
My piano teacher.
Don't pick out the inner voices so much.
Do you know where the melody is?
It sounds as clear as a muddy windscreen.
Probably due to the images lodged in your mind.
You have one approach for Bach, Beethoven and the others.
What made you want to study music?
Your meagre talent? I assure you it's not worth it.
Take a job playing in a strip joint
and stop wasting my time.
Teacher,
What?
- I'm sorry. - What for?
For earlier... At the newsagents.
Why?
Why are you sorry?
What for?
It doesn't work like that.
Sorry isn't enough, if I don't know why.
Are you sorry because you're a pig?
Or because your friends are pigs?
Or because all women are bitches for making you a pig?
Or just because you got caught?
The lesson is ended.
I propose your mother comes to see me.
Maybe she can shed some light on this.
Well?
What are you sorry for?
I'm listening.
The silence is deafening.
See you next time, along with your mother.
Now, please remove yourself.
I'll need my break to recover.
Goodbye.
Yes!
This time I'm expected.
The break's not over yet.
And the lesson hasn't begun.
Can I take out my scores while I'm waiting?
You know I voted against you?
No.
I don't believe you're serious about music
but rather about the kudos it brings.
You know that's untrue.
And even if it were true,
would it be such a shameful motive?
Yes.
What have you brought?
You should forget Schubert.
- Schenberg is all... - I fought to win your attention.
Give me a chance.
I know you're not as indifferent as you pretend.
I neglected my studies for you.
It's the truth!
You may think it's ridiculous,
but since the recital at the Blonskys,
I've had you stuck in my mind like a nut on a bolt.
I apologise for being so technical.
I never intended to apply here.
Stop lying, it won't wash.
I'm not lying.
For next time, find a copy of Opus 19.
Let's talk first.
I can't see the point.
Don't just stand there. Sit down and begin.
Is this your last lesson?
Please.
Pretend you have a migraine or something.
It's lovely out.
Either you play or my migraine will end this lesson.
It's bound to finish late.
Today's our first Mendelssohn rehearsal.
So, don't call up every 5 minutes. It's embarrassing.
Viora of the Philharmonic's coming. He'll think I'm a little girl.
Is that clear?
If it ends late, take a taxi.
Yes Mama.
Goodbye.
I adore lying in the name of love. I'm so happy for you.
If she calls after 10, don't answer. Is that okay?
It will be a pleasure.
Good evening, this is Mrs. Kohut.
May I speak to my daughter?
What's wrong?
What the...?
Shit!
Stay there!
Stay there, cunt!
Are you crazy or something?
Your father died this afternoon.
Above all, keep calm.
It's so inconsiderate of you!
Think of the consequences!
Kind of you to honour us with your presence.
Might we know what kept you?
Stop blubbing! What happened?
I have diarrhoea.
Are you scared or what?
A pianist needs solid nerves.
- How can I perform after... - Don't overdo it.
We should be going up.
Don't be so pathetic.
They won't bite. It's a rehearsal.
Did I overestimate you?
You think me devoid of sensitivity and indeed I can be superficial.
You see, I admit it.
But telling me to forget Schubert was atrociously unfair.
It's quite the contrary.
There are days, like after our first lesson, when...
The sight of blood makes me ill. Go to her.
Be her brave protector.