Recommend me some movies/documentaries about pianists/composers?

[transparently]

Sorry if this is the wrong place to post, but I'd like to watch some movies/documentaries about pianists/composers. I've only seen these ones so far: "The Pianist", "Amadeus", "Bloody Daughter", "The Genius Within: the Inner Life of Glenn Gould", and "Chopin: the Women Behind the Music". Any recommendations?

[liszt1022]

The Art of Piano: Great Pianists of the 20th Century

[wrongnotes]

If you don't mind some fun and light hearted comedy/drama about some music students in college, then check out the japanese drama, Nodame Cantabile. It has a lot of piano/classical music repertoire.

[bronnestam]

Sorry about the weird format, it looks better if you look directly at YouTube.

[bonesquirrel]

Immortal Beloved is quite good if your into Beethoven. I believe there is a good one about Liszt, Song Without End. An for Chopin, A Song To Remember. Both have the same director if I recall. I haven't watched either of them though, but plan too.

[coda_colossale]

The Harvest of Sorrow.

[ted]

"Song of Summer", by Ken Russell about Delius is an excellent dramatisation, as is his documentary about Elgar. Both are on youtube. "Richter the Enigma" is a unique documentary and well worth watching.

[thalbergmad]

I believe there is a good one about Liszt, Song Without End.

You might have a different opinion when you have seen it.

Thal

[emill]

AAhhh.. this might be considered "blasphemous" by some
but - Do or Die: Lang Lang's Story  - as done by the BBC
is good & informative viewing.  The dark side of Langlang's
relationship with father is revealing.

[emill]

sorry ... double post

[bonesquirrel]

You might have a different opinion when you have seen it.

Do you know any better ones about Liszt then? Also is the Chopin one still good?

[j_menz]

Do you know any better ones about Liszt then? Also is the Chopin one still good?

You could try Ken Russell's Lisztomania. I can't guarantee it's better, but it is undoubtedly an experience.

[transparently]

Thank you everyone for all the replies! I ended up watching Lang Lang's documentary recently, and I quite enjoyed it. As such, I don't get why everyone seems to hate Lang Lang so much. Also, I plan to watch more of your picks soon, so thanks again!

[Petter]

A Song To Remember is awful and sexist.
 I recommend Five Easy Pieces with Jack Nicholson, although it's probably a bit depressing.

[bonesquirrel]

sexist. 

So? I watched Django Unchained and its one of the most racist movies of modern time, but its a great movie. Discrimination against a race, gender or religion doesn't indicate a bad movie.

[Petter]

There's a difference between depicting racism and if a movie is inherently racist and a casualty  of institutionalised racism. An example of the latter would be Ghostbuster (1984) where there are no black people (except Winston who's scenes got cut out to make room for Bill Murray et al.) until the jail scene. Everyone detained is black.
 As for a Song to Remember; it victimise Chopin and the point of the film is that his demise is basically George Sands fault, for forcing him to play when he should be in bed.

[bonesquirrel]

There's a difference between depicting racism and if a movie is inherently racist and a casualty  of institutionalised racism. An example of the latter would be Ghostbuster (1984) where there are no black people (except Winston who's scenes got cut out to make room for Bill Murray et al.) until the jail scene. Everyone detained is black.
 As for a Song to Remember; it victimise Chopin and the point of the film is that his demise is basically George Sands fault, for forcing him to play when he should be in bed.

As quite a dark person myself I understand how that jail thing would be discriminate, because its the illusion that all black people are thugs/criminals/whatever you call it.

But in my opinion your either racist or your not, racism is either part of your character/personality or it isn't. The only thing that may influence it is for example if your family is extremely racist and your bought up to believe that a certain race is scum or inferior. But that Goosebumps scene isn't going to make anyone any more racist then they already are. Its why it doesn't bother me much.

[chopinlover01]

Don't know how you couldn't have seen it already, but the documentary of Horowitz "The Last Romantic" is a fabulous one. It also has some hilariously harsh comments from his b***h of a wife, Wanda. For example;
(Horowitz plays a piece)
Horowitz to the Steinway Technician: What did you think of it? Was it good?
The Steinway Technician back to him: So much color, in each note!
Wanda: Even the wrong ones?

[Bob]

Shine

Legend of 1900  (I think that's it.)  It's all on youtube.



They don't have to be great movies or even accurate.  It's good just to see them if they exist though, so you know what's out there, likes Amadeus. 

Good post.

[j_menz]

It's good just to see them if they exist

Rather more brownie points available if you seer them when they don't, though. Or at least a nice warm white long (veeeerrrry long) sleeved jacket.

[richardb]

Here's another one I found, about my favorite composer:

Very much appreciate finding these movies/documentaries.  Thank you!