The Art of Violin
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Movie Reviews of The Art of Violin
Movie Review: A Stunning Documentary
Summary: 5 Stars
I am a violinist, and after I watched this film, my understanding of the history of twentieth century performance expanded immensely. I have had it for months, and I still watch it all the time. A comprehensive history of the violinists and the significance of music performance in the twentieth century, this film is very impressive. In one brilliantly edited sequence, we observe the 1st movement of the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto in E Minor, being performed continuously by a dozen different violinists. After the two opening performances, The Art of Violin follows a loose timeline following the succession of the virtuosi, with a discourse on Paganini and some insight into the violins of Guarneri del Gesu and Stradivari. There also is a focus on the last of the great violinist/composers, Ysaye, Kreisler, and Enescu.
This film has a wealth of old, rare footage of some of the greatest violinists in recorded history, and it will leave a lasting impression on viewers whether they are string players or not. I particularly like the chapters they devoted to Milstein (my favorite), Heifetz, Oistrakh, and Menuhin. Just a few of the highlights include precious footage of Heifetz playing Chopin and Tchaikovsky, and Menuhin playing Bach's "Chaconne" in a German castle. There is significant commentary, particularly from Ivry Gitlis, Itzhak Perlman, and the late Yehudi Menuhin.
I do agree with the lament that the director perhaps did not emphasize enough the significance of Heifetz and Paganini, but a whole documentary film for each of them, respectively, would be more appropriate. This DVD is an absolute resource , and it continues to amaze me every time I watch it, and it is practically a necessity for any string player.
Movie Review: Unique CD filled with rare footage of violin greats
Summary: 5 Stars
My main objection is the title to this DVD "Devil's Instrument", because the producers just wanted to use this to get attention. There was exactly one reference to the Devil, in mentioning Paganini's Satanic demeanor. The rest of the musicians played like angels, and the closing number with Menuhin and the Chaconne in D Minor was positively heavenly. Ivry Gitlits said of him "the angel who came down on earth".In general this DVD is worth the money. Nowhere else will you get several hours devoted to the violin greats of the 20th century. In this day of digital videos and recordings, we take for granted that everything from a child's first recital to a debut in Carnegie Hall will be captured in living color, with CD's cut for parents to listen to. But when you look back there are so few films of the greats such as Heifetz, Kreisler, none of Ysaye, and the sound, even when remastered or enhanced, cannot escape the submarine-like feel of the recording capabilities of the early 20th century. However when you see the virtuosity being demonstrated it is still incredible.
Itzhak Perlman and Hilary Hahn do a magnificant job of narrating. And since the film was shot shortly before Menuhin's death in 1999, and finished afterwards, it is fitting that the 20th century closed with Menuhin, and this film was kind of a tribute to Menuhin. However in no way was it all about Menuhin, many are covered, even Michael Rabin and Ginette Neveu whose careers were shortened due to tragedy.
With all the narrating by Perlman, I was only a little disappointed that they did not feature his playing. But I guess this leaves another DVD for the violin geniuses of today for later.
Movie Review: A Documentary Essential to Every Violinist's Collection
Summary: 5 Stars
My first exposure to this documentary was it's airing as part of PBS' "Great Performances" series - right then, I knew I had to get hold of it. It ought to be required watching for every violinist, or violin affacionado.
Monsaingeon presents a chonology of sorts going through the great masters of the instrument since Paganini. Reflections on the violinists, their personalities, technique, performances, and interactions are given along the way by Ivry Gitlis, Yehudi Menuhin, Mstislav Rostropovich, and Ida Haendel (the older generation), Itzhak Perlman (the intermediate generation), and Hilary Hahn and Laurent Korcia (the new generation). Many of the video clips are amazing finds, a testament to Monsaingeon's research and thoroughness with each of his subjects.
For violinists, these video segments are priceless; wonderful demonstrations of technique and various playing styles that, fortunately, are allowed to run their length (without cutaways). For casual viewers, it's a documentary that is never dull and provides some very fascinating insights into the lives of both the great masters of the past and the great masters of today.
In short, this DVD is of enormous benefit and worth, and is something I find myself watching over and over again. Its only conceivable flaw is that it cuts short of any of the modern virtuosos (it would have been nice to view some of Perlman and Hahn's performances), but that is forgivable.
I'm confident this DVD will boost anyone's appreciation of both the instrument and those who play.
Movie Review: A truly inspiring documentary
Summary: 5 Stars
Like many others, I first saw this documentary on PBS. As I didn't see the whole thing, I decided to buy it so that I can watch it over and over again. I can't count how many times I have watched it since. Even my two-year-old son asks for it sometimes. Since watching this documentary for the first time, I have been practising regularly (almost every day), something I hadn't been doing for over 10 years!
With regards to the content of the film, I get the feeling that it revolves heavily around the clips that were available. Now that I have watched it a few times, I find it to be like a potpourri of footages loosely held together by commentaries, some of which were not at all illuminating at times. For instance, Hahn seemed to have some difficulty articulating what she was trying to say. However, I am not saying that the DVD is not great. In fact, the clips alone are already worth more than every penny I spent on the DVD.
In my not-so-humble opinion, any violin player who doesn't get fired up after watching this DVD should probably quit playing the violin.
Movie Review: Violin Playing at its Best
Summary: 5 Stars
This video, either DVD or VHS, is a must for all budding violinists. Being a professional violinist and a teacher, I heartily recommend this video to all my students and to anyone else who show interest in the art. Today we have some wonderful young artists on the concert scene, but there is still something missing in their playing. It is the difference between hearing a concert goer leaving the theater and saying, "Wasn't that wonderful playing? Where shall we eat tonight?" and one who says, "Oh my! What a touching performance! This is truly an experience to be remembered!" As Itzhak Perlman pointed out, each violinist is unique in his or her appoach, but all are supreme. I have worked with many of the violinists on this video, including Heifetz, Milstein, Rabin, Szigeti and Menuhin, and each one left me breathless. I guess that is what is really missing---being breathless after hearing them play. I doubt that we will ever be exposed to such artistry again---certainly not in my lifetime.