Vladimir Ashkenazy Great Piano Concertos

Let the piano do the talking

Advantages: interesting story, excellent acting,
Disadvantages: expected more

expected, yet produced some awesome performances. Inparticular little, Ann Paquin, the devoted daughter and voice of Ada to the outside world puts in a great performance. I found that the movie lacked more storyline and failed to deliver what it could have. While each actor convinced, the overall movie failed to convince. Ada plays a mute, a sullen soul, whos only passion is the piano (and daughter?) Little Flora takes the role of Adas mouth and her communication to the outside world. One feels she has grown up before her time and Ann Paqun plays this perfectly. Stewart a good man, trying his best for his new family is only human as we see. George on the other hand seems to want what Stewart has got. To not spoil the plot, i wont go into detail but I would recommend the film despite it not being what I would expect from an Oscar ...

rafomania 16.11.2009 · Read full review
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Review of The Piano (DVD)

THE PIANO TEACHER - (LA PIANISTE)

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) · Read full review
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Review of The Piano Teacher

The Rach 2

Advantages: One of the most Romantic concertos around, full of beautiful melodies and passion
Disadvantages: over-recorded

Philharmonic also stands high among the numerous recordings, matching Rachmaninov's own recording in its honesty of thought. The performance has much dramatic flair, with a great sense of freshness and conviction. The slow movement in particular is truly magical indeed. Ashkenazy's later recording with the London Symphony Orchestra and André Previn is not as satisfying despite some first class playing. The recorded sound is a little too gruff at times and the orchestra is not as polished as one would wish but with all four concertos offered in one budget-priced package it might prove tempting to many. Mikhail Rudy's version with Mariss Jansons and the Royal Philharmonic offers a superb recording, with the orchestra and soloist's relationship in perfect harmony. The recorded sound is beautiful and the work really comes off as a Concerto for Piano ...

berlioz 13.11.2004 · Read full review
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Review of Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 2, etc