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DVD Description
100-minute documentary made with the full participation of the composer's grandson, Alexander Rachmaninoff, celebrates the life and work of a remarkable musician and composer of genius who, forced into exile in 1917, became the greatest pianist of his day.
Featuring soloists Dmitri Hvorostovsky, Mikhail Pletnev (with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Claudio Abbado, and his own Russian National Orchestra),Valentina Igoshina, Peter Jablonski, Nikolai Putilin and the Kirov Orchestra and Chorus of the Mariinsky Theatre in St Petersburg are conducted by Valery Gergiev. Tony Palmer's film, with Rachmaninoff's own words spoken by Sir John Gielgud, is a unique and loving insight into a world long gone, but definitely not forgotten.
Featuring soloists Dmitri Hvorostovsky, Mikhail Pletnev (with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Claudio Abbado, and his own Russian National Orchestra),Valentina Igoshina, Peter Jablonski, Nikolai Putilin and the Kirov Orchestra and Chorus of the Mariinsky Theatre in St Petersburg are conducted by Valery Gergiev. Tony Palmer's film, with Rachmaninoff's own words spoken by Sir John Gielgud, is a unique and loving insight into a world long gone, but definitely not forgotten.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
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Stravinsky said it about Rachmaninov: but people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones!! (One glance from Stravinsky would put anyone off their dinner!) Going by the home-movies of Rachmaninov, which are seen here in Tony Palmer's documentary, the composer looks decidedly nice to be with: amused and amusing. However, the word to describe most of Rachmaninov's marvellous music is 'soulful', and this also describes this (fairly light-weight) documentary.
Actually this isn't really a 'documentary': the outlines of Rachmaninov's life and career are described, mainly in his own words, which are read -a bit mournfully- by Sir John Gielgud. There are lengthy excerpts from his music, performed by soloists and orchestral musicians photographed in such soft-focus that they almost disappear. And there are the home-movies and visits to Rachmaninov's homes in Russia and Switzerland. But there is not very much here that is seriously exploratory, very little in the way of enlightening comment, or analysis of what Rachmaninov composed.
This film isn't one of Tony Palmer's very best documentaries about performing artists or composers: it doesn't tell us much more than is generally known already, (unless it be that performing on endless concert-tours as a virtuoso, like Rachmaninov did, is soul-destroying), but at least the delightful pieces of home-movie, seen for the first time here, show that Stravinsky clearly got it all wrong.
Actually this isn't really a 'documentary': the outlines of Rachmaninov's life and career are described, mainly in his own words, which are read -a bit mournfully- by Sir John Gielgud. There are lengthy excerpts from his music, performed by soloists and orchestral musicians photographed in such soft-focus that they almost disappear. And there are the home-movies and visits to Rachmaninov's homes in Russia and Switzerland. But there is not very much here that is seriously exploratory, very little in the way of enlightening comment, or analysis of what Rachmaninov composed.
This film isn't one of Tony Palmer's very best documentaries about performing artists or composers: it doesn't tell us much more than is generally known already, (unless it be that performing on endless concert-tours as a virtuoso, like Rachmaninov did, is soul-destroying), but at least the delightful pieces of home-movie, seen for the first time here, show that Stravinsky clearly got it all wrong.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4 reviews
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Excellent...!
18 Nov 2010
Amazon Verified Purchase
Wow...excellent work! The home movies of this famous composer were great to see! Wish I had this when teaching public school music!
A Treat for Rachmanioff lovers
17 Dec 2011
Amazon Verified Purchase
I got this for my husband who is a huge Rachmaninoff fan, and thoroughly enjoyed it myself. Good blend of music with some interesting photos of his life, and places he lived and worked.
Rachmaninoff
1 Aug 2011
Amazon Verified Purchase
I totally enjoyed this documentary. Rachmanioff is one of the greatest composers and pianists of our time. His music will move you to places within yourself that you did not know were there. He, like many of the great ones was not happy and suffered because it. His music was his light and love.
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