The film begins with Stig learning of the sudden death of his wife Marta. During a prolonged flashback, Stig remembers the delights and tribulations of their relationship, back to their early days in the orchestra conducted by the eminent Sönderby, a time when Stig was riddled with self-doubt.

Schiller’s Ode to Joy, which Beethoven included in his 9th Symphony, profoundly inspired this personal work by Bergman. With a bold flashback structure, the film dissects the relationship between two violinists over the years, beautifully blending domesticity and espiritual grandeur through music.