Please contact us
with corrections
or breaking news
Overlooked & Underrated Docs & Features
(click on broll or dschwartz for all his posts)
A Quartet of Classic Music Docs
"Classic" in both senses of the term. The four documentaries in this First Run Features box-set are all about classical music; and the films are so well done that they are classics in the world of documentary films. They have one more thing in common: Producer Walter Scheuer was involved with each of the films.
For me, watching these four films was a continuation of my journey into the world of things I've never heard of – an odyssey that never ceases to amaze and confound me. All four films offer thoroughly inspiring and entertaining music and musicians. Here are the films in chronological order:
"From Mao to Mozart: Isaac Stern in China": Released in 1981, this Oscar-winning documentary follows Isaac Stern's 1979 tour of China near the end of the nation's horrific 'The Great Proletarian Revolution'. Stern was to make two presentations, but his love of music and the students' hunger for his teaching kept him touring China for weeks.
"High Fidelity: The Adventures of the Guarneri String Quartet" follows the four players on tours of the United States and Europe. The quartet was founded in 1964, and retired in 2009. The four players formed the world's longest lasting intact string quartet. In addition to their inspiring performances, we are treated to descriptions of, and reflections on the players' experience of preserving the integrity of their group for more than four decades.
"Small Wonders" follows violinist and teacher Roberta Tzavaras (according to the film) or Roberta Guaspari (according to IMDB) as she teaches violin to elementary students in East Harlem. Roberta brings an immeasurable amount of vital energy and great passion to teaching one of the most difficult instruments to underprivileged children. The film includes the requisite attempts to cut funding for her program as well as a climax of her students performing at Carnegie Hall with many of the world's greatest violinists – under her conduction. Roberta's character and story formed the basis of the theatrical narrative "Music from the Heart" the credits of which include Walter Scheuer. This film is particularly jaw-dropping. The kids play so well, so quickly.
"The Turandot Project" follows a production Puccini’s opera, beginning in Florence, Italy, and culminating with giant-scale outdoor performances in Beijing’s ancient Forbidden City. Oscar-winning director Zhang Yimou directs both productions in collaboration with conductor Zubin Mehta who serves as a bit of a host through the film. The stresses of culture and language clash are as readily apparent as the visual and musical beauty of the performances.
(I must confess to the strange delight of viewing six hours of human beings working and relating with each other in the absence of wireless devices.)