“Hegeman captures Koopman’s musical passion perfectly.”
‘Live to Be a Hundred’ gives us an unique inside view of the various activities that the multi-talented Ton Koopman carries out over the course of one year. We follow the famous Baroque musician on tour with his Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra and Choir, see him at work as a guest conductor in Madrid, as professor of musicology in Leiden. Elsewhere we witness the preparations for a concert in France, have an up-close view of the virtuoso harpsichordist at work during a master class at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague and follow him as he organizes the recording of the Haydn Organ Concertos in a church in Haarlem.
The picture that emerges is that of a man with uncustomary energy and vitality who inspires people wherever he goes. It’s a rich and rewarding life, yet one that would be impossible without the support of Tini Mathot, his wife and lifelong musical companion. Her love, patience and dedication shines through every frame of this film. As does the gorgeous Baroque music we all know so well, from Monteverdi to Bach, from Händel to Haydn. Classical megastar Jordi Savall pays his respects in a rare duo-performance.
WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY PAUL HEGEMAN
CINEMATOGRAPHY PAUL HEGEMAN PETER SIEBEN
SOUND MIRO BERNATEK RAPHAEL BOURDON PETER SIEBEN
EDITING CAITLIN HULSCHER
SOUND DESIGN ERIK GRIEKSPOOR
PRODUCED BY PAUL HEGEMAN
CAST
TON KOOPMAN
TINI MATHOT
KLAUS MERTENS
JORDI SAVALL
IESTYN DAVIES
CHRISTINA LANDSHAMER
THE PRESS ABOUT LIVE TO BE A HUNDRED
“An insightful film about the life of a passionate and inspiring artist.”
“An entertaining film.”
“The image that emerges from the film is that of an inexhaustible man and artist and Hegeman captures that smartly while filming Ton Koopman on the go.”