Live to Be a Hundred (2012)

'Live to be a hundred' gives us an unique inside view of the various activities that the multi-talented Ton Koopman carries out in the course of one year. We follow the famous Baroque musician on tour with his Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra and Choir and see him at work as a guest conductor in Madrid and as a Musicology professor in Leiden. We witness the preparations to 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 of uncustomary energy and vitality who inspires people wherever he goes. It's an 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 - of course - the gorgeous Baroque music we all know so well, from Monteverdi to Bach, from Händl to Haydn. Classical mega star Jordi Savall pays his respects as well in a rare duo-performance.