Pollini's 1970's cycle established his Beethoven credentials with the public at large. ... more
These live 90s remakes--audience generally well-behaved--share the same precise, but never clinical objectivity and sovereign technique. The interpretations aren't radically different either. No. 4 still comes off best, Pollini tempering his aloofness with the humanity and inwardness the music demands. No. 3 is also very fine: pianist and conductor in a meeting of minds for what, in its mingling of pathos and humour, is the most "contemporary" of the five. No. 1 still inspires Pollini to be reckless with the music's high- spirits and classical framework; his impatience is that much more apparent in the rather charmless account of No. 2. No. 5, the Emperor, is nowadays the most difficult to put across: its high-flown heroism just doesn't square with today's cynical mindset. Pollini and Abbado don't do anything wrong, but the music fails to lift the spirits or provoke the mind. A mixed collection then, but hear Nos. 3 and 4 for Pollini's Beethoven at its best. --Richard Whitehouse
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Pollini's 1970's cycle established his Beethoven credentials with the public at large. ... more
These live 90s remakes--audience generally well-behaved--share the same precise, but never clinical objectivity and sovereign technique. The interpretations aren't radically different either. No. 4 still comes off best, Pollini tempering his aloofness with the humanity and inwardness the music demands. No. 3 is also very fine: pianist and conductor in a meeting of minds for what, in its mingling of pathos and humour, is the most "contemporary" of the five. No. 1 still inspires Pollini to be reckless with the music's high- spirits and classical framework; his impatience is that much more apparent in the rather charmless account of No. 2. No. 5, theEmperor, is nowadays the most difficult to put across: its high-flown heroism just doesn't square with today's cynical mindset. Pollini and Abbado don't do anything wrong, but the music fails to lift the spirits or provoke the mind. A mixed collection then, but hear Nos. 3 and 4 for Pollini's Beethoven at its best. --Richard Whitehouse
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Advantages: Excellent physcological study of character. Disadvantages: Grim, brutal, shocking scenes of a sexual nature.
Haneke is well known for implementing the shock element into his films. He likes to leave his audience felling unsettled. Cinematography is brilliant with subdued colouring reflecting the drabness of Ericas life, and the greyness of the storyline. I have watched this film a few times now, and with each viewing I am stunned by the perfection of Isabelle Hupperts performance. Annie Girardot as the mother also gives a strong, convincing performance with the elements of smothering, and control in the right balance.
In my opinion, I think this is a great film. It won many awards, and well deserved accolades. The Piano teacher has a very basic storyline,contains subtitles, and is very graphic in it's content, so it will not be to everyones taste. The musical score is brilliant throughout with the of sonatas Schuman, Schubert Bach ...
Morning_Becomes_Electra 20.01.2008 (25.01.2008)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Piano Teacher
Advantages: interesting story, excellent acting, Disadvantages: expected more
I went into this movie knowing about the oscars it had won and having been recommended by several friends, I expected something good.
As a fan of period films, this movie is set in the 1850's, New Zealand. Ada (Holly Hunter) is a mute who with her young daughter Flora(Ann Paquin) braves the dangerous journey across the world. We see the movie start with them landing with all their belongings, including the priceless piano. Life begins in the leafy forest with her new Husband, Stewart (Sam Neill). Life is not what she expected in this remote area. Things take a turn for the worse when her new Husband sells her piano a neighbour, George (Harvey Keitel). George however, tells Ada she may earn back her piano by giving him piano lessons. Through the lessons, we see a turbulant but intreging relationship form.
This movie wasn't what I ...
rafomania 16.11.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Piano (DVD)
Advantages: A great film to watch, a very emotional film which is gripping to watch.. Disadvantages: none
The film, The Piano, is a film that tells a story about a young woman’s journey from oppression to freedom. The main character, Ada McGrath (Holly Hunter), is sold off in marriage to marry Alisdair Stewart (Sam Neil) and is thus sent away from her home to New Zealand. She is accompanied by her 9 year old daughter, Flora (Anna Paquin) and her beloved piano.
When Ada arrives on the beach of the New Zealand coast she is dressed in black dress and bonnet standing beside her beloved piano (her daughter on top), Ada provides a stark contrast with the vast backdrop of the crashing sea and grey skies. Ada has not spoken ever since her lover was killed by lightning. She communicates through her piano and sign language, understood by her daughter. The way in which she uses the piano reflects her mood in a very strong and clear manner ...
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