The Art of Conducting: Great Conductors of the Past

Jan 1, 1993

1h 57m

★ 9.0

Overview

Documentary about sixteen great conductors of the 20th century.

Genres

Documentary

Production Companies

IMG Artists

BBC

The Art of Conducting: Great Conductors of the Past Trailers

No Trailers found.

Cast

Self (archive footage)

John Barbirolli

Self (archive footage)

Sir Thomas Beecham

Self (archive footage)

Leonard Bernstein

Self (archive footage)

Fritz Busch

Self (archive footage)

Wilhelm Furtwängler

Self

John Eliot Gardiner

Self (archive footage)

Herbert von Karajan

Self (archive footage)

Serge Koussevitzky

Self (archive footage)

Otto Klemperer

Self (archive footage)

Arthur Nikisch

Self (archive footage)

Fritz Reiner

Self (archive footage)

Richard Strauss

To mark Beethoven's 250th birthday, the documentary sheds light on the composer's private side, linking his writings with his music in an original way. Beethoven's many letters and notes tell of his temperament, his love affairs, his humanism and his struggles, especially with the early onset of deafness.

4.0

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A joyful tale filled with music. The rise of radio. The jazz big bands. The legendary clubs and ballrooms. The soundtracks of the great musical films and TV shows. Sex and romance, gangsters, luxury cars and palm trees. From Barcelona to New York, with a stop in Cuba. The birth of Las Vegas. The sound of the maracas. Chihuahuas everywhere. The incredible life story of Xavier Cugat (1900-90).

8.0

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Although he is unanimously credited with having democratised opera, making it accessible to the greatest number, focus is rarely put on the strategy he devised and implemented in order to carry out his actions, nor what his actions reveal of the man and artist, and of the resulting metamorphosis from opera singer to pop artist. Through this angle, this film sets out to pay tribute to the man who summed up his credo, obsession and life’s work, in the following way: “They led the public to believe that classical music belonged to a restricted elite. I was the way to prove to the world that was wrong.

6.7

Wagner & Me

Nov 2, 2012

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10.0

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Join André Rieu on his global adventures in Fiesta Mexicana as he finally recovers from illness to delight fans all over the world with magical performances of some of his best-loved music. Taking in the magnificent surroundings of Africa, Mexico and the sub-tropical Flower Island of Mainau in Germany, this emotional and exciting journey fully captures the enduring magic of The King of the Waltz. André’s performances include Mexican Hat Dance, Hava Nagila, La Paloma, Cielito Lindo, Amazing Grace, Earth Song, and many more.

7.5

Conductivity

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Conductivity is a film about creative leadership told through the story of three young conductors at the prestigious Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, Finland; I-Han Fu (Taiwan), Emilia Hoving (Finland) and James Kahane (France). When stepping on the podium, they are put under a magnifying glass. Conductor training, in essence, is leadership training. The film gives a unique viewpoint to follow the students, as this is the first film about conductor training at the Sibelius Academy.

5.1

What Difference Does It Make?

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A documentary that explores the challenges that a life in music can bring.

7.2

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"What would the world be like without Beethoven?" That’s the provocative question posed by this music documentary from Deutsche Welle. To answer it, the film explores how Ludwig van Beethoven's innovations continue to have an impact far beyond the boundaries of classical music, 250 years after his birth.

10.0

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This feature length documentary tells the story of Mahani Teave who grew up on Rapa Nui (Easter Island) and left at age 9 to pursue her dream of being classical pianist-a journey that takes her from mainland Chile to The Cleveland Music Institute to Berlin and the great concert halls of Europe. At the age of 30, on the brink of international success, Teave gives up her career to pursue a new dream, coming back full circle to Rapa Nui to found a free music school for the island's children. The resulting school-named Toki, after the basalt tool once used to shape Easter Island's iconic sculptures-is a model of sustainability, incorporating tons of tires, bottles and Pacific Ocean plastic; surrounded by agri-environmental gardens to grow food. With Toki, Mahani hopes to shape a bold new future for Rapa Nui and inspire hope and change on Earth, our island home.

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0.0

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No overview available.

7.8

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0.0

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Take a seat with us at FIRE’s first-ever classical music concert in support of free expression: “Outspoken: Music for Free Speech.” At the podium is conductor Rebecca Bryant Novak, a former doctoral student at the University of Rochester’s Eastman School of Music. Taking the stage for the first time since she was expelled without due process after speaking out about alleged harassment, Rebecca leads an all-volunteer orchestra in an unforgettable evening of music. Internationally acclaimed musicians, violinist Lara St. John and oboist Katherine Needleman, bring the stage to life with works by composers who themselves faced censorship, from Mozart to Shostakovich. Between performances, FIRE staff and special guests reflect on why free expression is essential for artists, and for all of us. The arts cannot thrive without free expression. Thank you to everyone who made this night possible!

0.0

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The film sketches the creative life of the protagonist Kapila. The film’s narrative is structured as one day in the life of a Koodiyattam performer.

4.7

4

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A documentary on one of the world’s most exciting string quartets – the Quatuor Ébène – draws viewers into the musicians’ struggle with interpretational details, with colleague-friends – and with themselves.

8.0

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With an original staging of text and music, Orlando follows the trail of one of the greatest composers of the Renaissance: Orlando di Lasso (also known as Roland de Lassus). His life and masterful oeuvre continue to move people to this day. Although he was a European star at the time, di Lasso had to endure the indignities of his social status as a servant. This documentary explores the relationship between art and power, musically accompanied by the ensemble La Tempête.

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0.0

Tibor Frešo

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No overview available.

5.0

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Embark on a mesmerizing musical journey through the multi-faceted history of Korean American immigrants in Hawaiʻi with SONGS OF LOVE, a captivating reverie of song and history.

0.0

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7.0

Karajan: Portrait of a Maestro

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An account of the life and work of controversial German orchestra conductor Herbert von Karajan (1908-89), celebrated as one of the greatest musicians of the twentieth century.

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0.0

Kamenný orchestr

Jan 1, 1949

No overview available.