Frequently Bought Together
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Product details
|
Suggested Tags from Similar Products(What's this?)Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product)
|
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
"Unquiet Traveler" is a unique documentary about the renowned Polish pianist Piotr Anderszewski. The conceptual approach taken by director Bruno Monsaingeon is disarming in its simplicity--he accompanied the musician on a 2008 recital tour through Hungary, Poland, Germany, France and Lisbon, filming Anderszewski's impromptu performances at various stops, and recording the magnetic performer practicing on a Steinway in his private railway car while tossing off amusing and insightful observations on matters musical and otherwise. On Mozart's "Magic Flute": "I know of no musical work that's so sad and joyful, so cold, so dark and yet so luminous, so divine and so impertinent." On giving recitals: "When I'm confronted with the extreme loneliness of the recital, the heroism and the cruelty involved, I sometimes think that I'll never do recitals again." On the history of his native city: "The other thing I mourn is the destruction of Warsaw. I find it very hard to live with. A whole civilization, just murdered." The effect is utterly beguiling, and is far more revealing and compelling than the traditional "talking heads" interview format that Monsaingeon thankfully eschews. While Anderszewski has charisma to burn, Monsaingeon never lets his outsize personality overwhelm the music. Ample footage is devoted to the pianist in performance, although this is not a performance film, per se. The director also works in sequences of Anderszewski wandering through several Eastern European cities; rehearsing with the Brazilian conductor Gustavo Dudamel; and making a recording in a Berlin studio--all interspersed with wonderfully evocative shots of the train rolling through beautiful, snow-covered landscapes. These varied yet complementary elements add up to a striking visual essay on the creative process, one suffused with rare warmth and intimacy. Not least, "Unquiet Traveler" presents Anderszewski's humorous, analytical and self-critical assessments of his strengths and weaknesses as a musician and an individual. This is an absolute must-see for anyone interested in music, classical or otherwise.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
There is little I can add to Dean Brierly's excellent, comprehensive review; I just wish to reiterate how good this film is, so that potential buyers have more than one opinion to go on. I have watched Christopher Nupen's films about Andres Segovia again and again and have always believed it would be hard to better them, but Bruno Monsaingeon manages it with this quite exquisite film about a truly exceptional musician. If you love music, do not hesitate - buy this DVD. It's worth the money just to watch Anderszewski performing the Giga from Bach's first keyboard Partita.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
8 reviews
20 of 20 people found the following review helpful
New Musical Express
16 Aug 2009
"Unquiet Traveler" is a unique documentary about the renowned Polish pianist Piotr Anderszewski. The conceptual approach taken by director Bruno Monsaingeon is disarming in its simplicity--he accompanied the musician on a 2008 recital tour through Hungary, Poland, Germany, France and Lisbon, filming Anderszewski's impromptu performances at various stops, and recording the magnetic performer practicing on a Steinway in his private railway car while tossing off amusing and insightful observations on matters musical and otherwise. On Mozart's "Magic Flute": "I know of no musical work that's so sad and joyful, so cold, so dark and yet so luminous, so divine and so impertinent." On giving recitals: "When I'm confronted with the extreme loneliness of the recital, the heroism and the cruelty involved, I sometimes think that I'll never do recitals again." On the history of his native city: "The other thing I mourn is the destruction of Warsaw. I find it very hard to live with. A whole civilization, just murdered." The effect is utterly beguiling, and is far more revealing and compelling than the traditional "talking heads" interview format that Monsaingeon thankfully eschews. While Anderszewski has charisma to burn, Monsaingeon never lets his outsize personality overwhelm the music. Ample footage is devoted to the pianist in performance, although this is not a performance film, per se. The director also works in sequences of Anderszewski wandering through several Eastern European cities; rehearsing with the Brazilian conductor Gustavo Dudamel; and making a recording in a Berlin studio--all interspersed with wonderfully evocative shots of the train rolling through beautiful, snow-covered landscapes. These varied yet complementary elements add up to a striking visual essay on the creative process, one suffused with rare warmth and intimacy. Not least, "Unquiet Traveler" presents Anderszewski's humorous, analytical and self-critical assessments of his strengths and weaknesses as a musician and an individual. This is an absolute must-see for anyone interested in music, classical or otherwise.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
A wonderful experience
6 Aug 2009
I can scarcely remember when I've had a better musical and visual experience with a film. Perhaps I started with an advantage: I love trains. The idea of Anderszewski with his Steinway grand, in a perfectly appointed railway car, tootling through Europe and eastern Europe, recitals along the way, practising and demonstrating at the piano on the train, chatting intelligently about music and composers, wonderfully photographed and edited by Monsaingeon--this was as close to filmic heaven as I expect to get. It is perfect in itself, but of course leaves one, as it should, wanting to hear more--everything--of Anderszewski, live or on disk. I can't wait.
After watching my NETFLIX disc (surprisingly available so soon after release), I immediately ordered copies to send to my 95-year old former piano teacher in California (who worships Perahia) and several other piano-loving friends. Monsaingeon's Glen Gould film was great, but I think he outdoes himself with "Unquiet Traveler."
After watching my NETFLIX disc (surprisingly available so soon after release), I immediately ordered copies to send to my 95-year old former piano teacher in California (who worships Perahia) and several other piano-loving friends. Monsaingeon's Glen Gould film was great, but I think he outdoes himself with "Unquiet Traveler."
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
One of the best music documentaries I've ever seen
4 Jan 2010
Amazon Verified Purchase
I am a professional musician, and I have never been so inspired by a music documentary. Anderszewski is truly a genius for our times, a multi-lingual European who can not only play but expound on the European musical heritage like no one else. His insights into Chopin, Mozart and Brahms are surprising, sometimes radical, always revelatory. He understands the music from the inside out, and conveys this understanding in a riveting, engaging and irresistibly humorous way. His trenchant comments on life at the highest professional levels of music are equally insightful. I've watched this film again and again, and introduced my friends to it. It has the same effect on everyone, and it'll have the same effect on you. If you love music, buy this DVD!
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
- Film & TV > Documentary
- Film & TV > English Subtitles
- Film & TV > Musicals & Classical > Classical Music
- Film & TV > Musicals & Classical > Musicals & Stage Performances > Classic
- Film & TV > Musicals & Classical > Musicals & Stage Performances > Film Musicals
- Film & TV > Television > Music & Entertainment
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
