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Amazon.co.uk Review
On the DVD: The DVD has subtitles in German, French and Spanish; the sound quality is excellent--the piano recital has a particularly fine acoustic. --Roz Kaveney
Special Features
English
French\German\Spanish
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Oddly, it's a Russian who saves the day...,
By
This review is from: Mystery Of Chopin [DVD] (DVD)
The Strange Case of Delphina Potocka is a film that shares much in common with the character Paulina, played nicely by Penelope Wilton: it has its heart in the right place, but misguidedly goes about things the wrong way. A serious lack of funding must surely explain why much of this, the main feature, is just utterly awful.Its first drawback is that it looks like it was shot on cheap video. The black-and-white scenes DO NOT look gritty, they make you think your telly's on the blink. There is a huge amount of what looks like stock footage used: again, presumably, to compensate for a cash shortage. By and large, the scenery elsewhere in the film looks pretty tawdry - the ballroom scenes with Rhys as Chopin are fantastic, but much of Communist Poland looks like it was shot in the east end of London on a rainy Thursday in January. Run-down and grim, yes; but the east end of London nonetheless, not Poland. The sparse chairs and tables and antique typewriters - yes, I know that's what post-war Poland should have looked like, but you can't help but think it all looks rather like an am-dram production of Hedda Gabler. Perhaps that's because, despite the famous names in the cast, a good deal of the acting is absolutely atrocious - check the scene where a gaggle of revolutionaries "chase" an old man down a landing. I've seen more convincing Nativity Plays, frankly. Bird and Fortune ham it up, unable to do ought else, given the terribly stilted script. Rhys, however, IS worth his money. Long, slender fingers too - perfect for the great pianist. It's pretty ropey, the whole thing, but somehow still quite charming. Worth a watch, at least once. And the insertion of performances (filmed far more lushly than anything else in the film) by the young Russian pianist, Valentina Igoshina, injects a pathos and beauty the film struggles to achieve elsewhere. It is Igoshina's performance - which fills the second half of the DVD - that saves the enterprise, and warrants it a five-star rating. Not only does she interpret Chopin with an intensity and sensuality unparalled (I've seen her live in London, and prefer her preludes those of Ashkenazy and Kissin), but she also gives lively and intelligent discussion of the music in between pieces. For this, and this alone, any lover of Chopin could do with this DVD in their collection.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Young Russian Pianist is a Rare Gift to Music and Us As Well,
By Alexander Esposito (NJ, USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Mystery Of Chopin [DVD] (DVD)
Firstly and most importantly, it's about the music of Chopin in the end now isn't it? Despite Mr. Palmer's best intentions on providing the audience an expose on a provocative aspect he didn't quite make it in many ways granted and as I've indicated before I'd even be inclined to agree with some critics on some weaknesses and points.
However it doesn't make much sense to disparage any further when there is something of a beautiful rare gem contained therein that might make it almost criminal to overlook this DVD. So conspicuously a refreshing departure are Valentina Igoshina's stunning interpretations which are so remarkably passionate, there exists some true value to this DVD and a definite must to explore further. Her performance and genuinely honest presence, are in fact simply the best reasons to purchase this DVD. Palmer salvages a respectable amount of dignity in the light of some almost humorous mistakes that speckle some of the rest of the film. Choosing Ms. Igoshina to perform was Palmer's brightest decision here and with out any doubt, was motivated by her skill and engaging personality that shines through both in her playing and her image. It's her technical prowess, unique perspective and ever present passion that carries the day. It seems Palmer knew this as well as after the feature concludes, he thoughtfully provides the viewer/listener with almost an hour of exceptionally produced rare recital footage of Ms. Igoshina interpreting some of Chopin's most difficult and memorable compositions and some all too brief and genuine spontaneous interviews as well. I have serious doubt that Palmer would have found anyone any better suited to perform the music of Chopin and deliver with such lush relevance and commitment in Chopin's Poland or any place else in the world. The performances which are the beautiful fruit of Ms Igoshina's dedicated life's studies up to 1999 and innate ability, might pose a challenge for the most accomplished of any concert pianist, however she seems to move over the topography of the keyboard almost effortlessly .. from a delicate pianissimo approach which she executes flawlessly, spanning a full range of energy and intensity to unparalleled fierce crescendos that Ms. Igoshina so capably delivers within her own especially one of a kind fresh clean perspective. Something I've no doubt is treasured not only by those who know best at the esteemed Tchaikovsky Moscow Conservatory where she trained, earned her degree and now is faculty, but also worldwide as her stage and audience expands each day. She is able to span a wide and most intense dynamic expression as well a rubato taken to the limit of perfection and not one millisecond beyond ... Ms. Igoshina skillfully stretches the bounds of KNOWN performance, UNKNOWN until her interpretations came to us almost as gifts now, who's place are continually being recognized internationally and to music's and our great fortune. Sincerely, Alexander Esposito - NJ USA Chopin Complete Waltzes The Harvest of Sorrow [1998] (REGION 1) (NTSC) Mystery Of Chopin, The / The Strange Case Of Delphina Potocka Prelude in G Minor Op. 23 (Igoshina) Serge Rachmaninov
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Valentina Igoshina Plays The Best Chopin I've Ever Heard.,
By Born2Late65 (New York, USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Mystery Of Chopin [DVD] (DVD)
Hi,
I bought this solely for the mini concert by Ms.Igoshina. The feature film is B-grade, @best. Sadly, Igoshina's music isn't available here in America. So, I had to buy this region 2 DVD. I can play it on my PC. I'll have to buy some software to rip the audio tracks off the DVD. Ah Well, it's the only way to listen to her playing, here... Dunno how accurate the claims are in the feature film. It's a very low budget affair. The concert section is well-worth the price of the DVD.
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