Speaking in Strings
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Movie Reviews of Speaking in Strings
Movie Review: Nadja Salerno Sonnenberg Unplugged
Summary: 4 Stars
Nadja Salerno Sonnenberg lays bare the flip side of natural, unchecked, great, and overwhelmingly emotive talent: the isolation and, likely, the profound inability to find others - even those who rank among the greats - who feel, understand, and find in music her version of the ineffable. As a listener, it's wonderful and even enthralling to be caught in the throes of Sonnenberg's interpretations. I find the way in which she learns material (visit her website) as well as her immense talent, passion, and fingerwork riveting. I also find her fascinating on a biological nature-versus-nurture level (i.e., how do we define greatness? giftedness? technical skill?).
The way she portrays herself and is portrayed in this DVD, and it's important to remember that this was an edited piece that captures but a sliver of time in her life, suggests that it can be difficult to focus on the nuances of the composer's work itself when she plays. And I confess that as I age I've come to appreciate far more those virtuosos --Helene Grimaud comes to mind -- who can scale their mountains, maintain their quirks, yet somehow sidestep repeat crash and burnings. But come on, listen, for example, to the Sonnenberg Double Violin Concerto recording with Mark O'Connor and the Colorado Symphony under Marin Alsop and tell me whether it matters if her eyes roll to the back of her head as she plays.
At the same time, I can't help but wonder why someone couldn't penetrate Nadja's bravado to soften her emotional musical peaks and valleys. The question I ponder is whether it might be best, in some instances, to "suppress" the talent in exchange for a more peaceful, even life and what the ramifications of so doing would be. [Now, that didn't work for Jacqueline DuPre, but that's a whole other story.] To me, this means finding satisfaction in just the simple knowing that one posseses a visceral ability to bring to the fore depth of emotion in others, yet not allowing it to throw you off-kilter. Or perhaps it is the case that because she has the ability to feel, communicate, and connect with such power, that to take away the expressive outlet would make the ache, life itself, altogether unbearable. The film is raw; her honesty both palpable and inspiring.
Movie Review: Found it lacking
Summary: 4 Stars
This documentary seems to be more about Nadja the person than about Nadja the artist. Maybe the two are inseperable, but I was left wondering what a sick cat, alligator hunting, or a hot air balloon ride has to do with playing the violin. We're deluged with stories of her near self amputation of her left hand pinky, her father's abandonment, her chain smoking, her stalker, her suicide attempt, her mysterious failed "romance" (not too hard to read between the lines here), and her tomboy childhood in New York, but left wanting for more information on her musical background. It seems that this is more about a tormented soul who plays the violin than about a violinist who has personal demons to combat. A more fitting title might have been Nadja Salerno Sonnenberg - A Study in Manic Depression.
The quality of the video is less than professional. Much of it looks as though it was shot with a camcorder back in the 80s. The audio quality isn't much better, and the audio mix is horrible. I had to turn the volume up to a ridiculous level to hear. The only extras you get on the DVD are a short bio on NSS, a list of credits, and promos for other videos. The producers missed a great chance here to offer the viewer a quality performance video with no commentary.
Having said all of that, I still give the documentary 4 stars because of the superb playing that is presented. Several excerpts of Sonnenberg playing Tchaikovsky, Sibelius, Paganini, Shostakovich, Bach, and Mendellsohn are included, both in performance and rehearsal. There are also plenty of clips of her interacting with chamber music members, which is rare for an artist of her magnitude. You can't deny her enormous talent, even if her presentation makes you uncomfortable.
Movie Review: Excellent Biography With One Disappointment
Summary: 4 Stars
This documentary provides us with a glimpse into the life of a most unusual violinist. Certainly Ms Salerno-Sonnenberg has rightful status as a proficient performer, but beyond that she is well known for her unusual stage presence. She almost literally throws herself into her performance providing the audience with a physical rendition of the music in addition to playing her instrument.
I said above that we get a glimpse of her life, and that is all one can hope for in a 75 minute movie. What we learn here once again is that we can't idealize the lives of talented performers. Nadja's life is a hectic one consisting of up to 200 performances a year. The stress of this routine is manifested in bouts of depression which on one occasion becomes suicidal.
While watching the movie I couldn't help thinking of Jaqueline du Pre, the demonstrative cellist who led a tragic life. Ms Salerno-Sonnenberg tells us that she really feels free only when she is actually performing.
Now to the disappointment. Listening to her recorded performances is very rewarding, but it can be like listening to a Shakespeare play on the radio. The visual part of her playing is an important part of the listening experience. Many of us may never be able to watch her play so I had hoped that the documentary would give us a good sampling of her on stage efforts, but unfortunately the clips of her playing the violin are few, and never more than 60 seconds in length. I wish they had extended the movie another 15 minutes and treated us to the performance of at least one composition. It is for the reason that I gave a rating of four stars instead of five.
Movie Review: I never liked her until I saw this movie
Summary: 4 Stars
Watching this movie made me realize a few things:1) the fact that I never liked her has lot to do with her appearance and certain attitude.
2)it must be very hard to be different in this rigid world of classical music.
I found myself to examine my prejudices and i find myself actually liking this fine violinist.
Movie Review: Sad...
Summary: 3 Stars
I have to agree with the previous low rating. This is a fascinating documentary to watch, but , curiously, at the same time, difficult. This woman is so grossly obsessed with her narrow universe that she has squeezed whatever joy she should have from her success out of her life. Sad.