Claude Debussy died one hundred years ago. His writings reveal him to have been profoundly non-conformist and extreme. Whether they find it mysterious and impenetrable or fascinating and brilliant, no one is indifferent to his music. Through correspondences, interviews with contemporary artists, archival materials and lots of music, this film brings to life the man and his work. In this film, contemporary artists – among them conductor Philippe Jordan, singer Barbara Hannigan and pianist Alexandre Tharaud – recount ‘their Debussy’, providing keys to a better understanding of the composer’s works and the radical rupture they constituted at his time. The portrait is completed by up to now unpublished archival interviews and excerpts of performances by great ‘Debussians’ like Samson François, Leonard Bernstein and Pierre Boulez.
Karajan vs. Bernstein – Battle of Giants
Bernstein vs. Karajan: a musical Yalta. They were on top of the world of classical music, reflecting also the political conflicts of their time: the grandson of a rabbi against a member of Hitler’s national-socialist party, America against Europe, modernists against traditionalists. These two conductors mostly distinguished themselves by renovating the music industry, television and opera. They were icons of the 1970s who created a special sort of glamour in classical music and at the same time contributed to its democratization.
Camille Saint-Saëns – The elusive composer
The film follows the life of a man who is said to have been a revolutionary for 40 years and then a conservative for 40 years who considered Debussy, Ravel, Stravinsky and Webern (among others) as naughty punks… However, as a composer and a pianist Camille Saint-Saëns was incredibly talented in music as in various sciences and arts. The film contains archive material, original drawings, musical excerpts and interviews with specialists, with a light comment made from Saint-Saëns’ personal writings as if he commented himself some parts of his long and rich life.
Verdi’s Backyard
The documentary introduces us to the beautiful “homeland” of Verdi, the region of Parma. From the little village called Le Roncole in the vicinity of Parma, where Verdi was born, to the estate close to Parma, to which Verdi – despite the great triumphs he celebrated in Milan, Venice, Naples and other major cities – always came back to and chose to spend the most time of his life. We get to know how Verdi “lives on” in the region and has even formed the area – from the everyday life of a simple
peasant to the life of one of the biggest opera stars in the world – Leo Nucci, whom is a regular guest at the Verdi Festival in Parma.
Saimir Pirgu – My Truth in Music
“Music is my life. Singing, playing, listening – breathing!” Based on this passionate statement, the documentary Saimir Pirgu – My Truth in Music follows the key moments of Albanian-Italian tenor Saimir Pirgu’s flourishing musical career. It is a journey to the world’s most renowned opera houses – from Salzburg and Vienna to London, Moscow and New York – and at the same time gives insight into the hidden chambers of the art of singing. What really happens in the inner mind of an artist? How is great talent discovered and nurtured? The storyline follows Saimir Pirgu’s personal reminiscences, replenished with live performances and intimate backstage moments. It depicts his work with grand maestros like Abbado, Harnoncourt, Muti and Jansons, and features interviews with top names of the contemporary music world: James Conlon, Paolo Gavazzeni, Dominique Meyer, Ferzan Ozpetek and Nicoletta Pavarotti.
Arnold Schönberg – Who I am
The documentary “Arnold Schönberg – Who I am” shows the numerous faces of a genius: the composer, the painter, the father and the human Arnold Schönberg. Leading through the documentary is Nuria Schoenberg Nono, the daughter of the great Viennese composer, who together with Daniel Barenboim, worldwide famous interpreter and supporter of Schönberg’s music, embarks on a journey to discover one of the most prominent and controversial musical figures of the 20th century. With the help of musicologist Hartmut Krones and Therese Muxeneder, head of archive of the Arnold Schönberg Center in Vienna, they paint an intriguing picture of an often misunderstood musician, who was despised at the time, but is now regarded as a pioneer of today’s music.
Sound of Freedom
The Soundtrack to Liberty – From the French Revolution to fall of the Iron Curtain. Music can move, comfort and encourage like no other medium. Social upheaval and political songs have marched hand in hand since the French Revolution, probably even before then. Music is a tool for mobilisation. It is the embodiment of the ideals and the hope for a better life. It galvanises the oppressed, spurs on the resistance and fires on the revolutionaries. The two part documentary Sound of Freedom goes back to the roots of this music of hope, rebellion, of the mavericks and the oppressed. This is the first time the sound of freedom and protest is being considered in its full historical context; not just within the microcosm of the Sixties and the civil rights movement, but with the narrative arc stretching from the 18th century to the present day. Part I: From the chansons of the French Revolution to the labour movement and the resistance against the Nazi Regime / Part II: From the hymns of the civil rights movement and the fight against apartheid to the call for sexual freedom and equality
The LA Phil at 100
The Los Angeles Philharmonic is turning 100 and throwing an epic party – the orchestra marks the milestone with public celebrations, education and social-impact initiatives, showcasing and honoring the diversity of Los Angeles. The anniversary documentary portrays the LA Phil and it’s continual creative reinvention on the occasion of this jubilee. The documentary includes a historical part to trace the steps that played a part in where the orchestra stands today, shows the orchestra and Gustavo Dudamel at rehearsals and concerts, captures the work with YOLA and the collaboration with artists like Herbie Hancock and John Williams.
Africa Rising
Africa is hip. For several years now, a veritable hype has erupted in cinemas, in museums, in fashion and in music. The global north is in the process of renegotiation its relationship with Africa, and is intoxicated by the continent’s aesthetics. Not for the first time. Again and again over the past decades, Africa has served as a source of inspiration for the West, and as a projection surface, an object of appropriation but also of delineation. The documentary is taking the African renaissance as an opportunity to describe the major developments in African pop culture and their effect on the West, assisted by important stars and contemporary witnesses. Including music by: Miriam Makeba, E.T. Mensah, Joseph Kabasele, Papa Wemba, Bob Marley, Alpha Blondy, James Brown, Fela Kuti, Seun Kuti, Ray Lema, Sista Fa, Salif Keita, Cheb Khaled, Majid Bekkas, Mafikizolo, Youssou N´Dour, Peter Gabriel, Positive Black Soul, Spoek Mathambo, Maître Gims, Wizkid, MHD, Yonii, DJ Black Coffee, Distruction Boyz
When the evening and morning meet – A Journey into the Music of the Baltic
Not only is the beauty of the Baltic region stunning, it also offers a varied music scene. The film “When the evening and morning meet” embarks on a fascinating journey through Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. With their knowledge and charm, musicians of diverse styles show the similarities and differences of their musical culture, guiding the viewer by land and sea from the major cities to the musical province and presenting the eventful history of the Baltic States. The result is a multifaceted and entertaining portrait of three small countries with huge musical potential.