Young Christophe's father has just died and, to make matters worse, his mother has taken in a crazy man for a boarder. Christophe learns from his Uncle Kurt, a student at the conservatory, that the man is a great composer and pianist. All Christophe sees in Ludwig van Beethoven, though, is a strange old man who mutters, pounds on his piano, and writes music on the walls. As Christophe learns more about Beethoven's character, and the codger's frustrating deafness, the boy, now fascinated by the man and his music, turns into the composer's awestruck companion. Based partly on historical fact, BEETHOVEN LIVES UPSTAIRS depicts Beethoven as he works on his ninth and final symphony.