The Art Of Violin
2001
THE ART OF VIOLIN dramatically explores the heights to which violin playing has been taken over the 20th century. Acclaimed director Bruno Monsaigeon--who also helmed a series about the legendary Canadian pianist Glenn Gould--brings his exciting visual sense to this program, which uses advanced video technology to restore rare .. Read more
| Genres | Documentary |
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Most helpful members' reviews (3)
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3 out of 3 people found this review helpful
Bowing and Scraping
I enjoy classical music but know nowt about the fiddle, so this was an opportunity to learn more about the instrument from archive film material and the comments of modern virtuosi.
Overall, I'd recommend it quite highly. You may find the subtitling option useful, as not all the commentary is in English! Some of it also seems to assume the viewer is a fiddle expert with its use of specialist terms. -
3 out of 6 people found this review helpful
A bit bland
This was less about the art of violin and more about a group of violinists (mostly living) talking about other violinists (mostly dead.) It didn't really seem to have very much focus, but was quite interesting to see footage of Kreisler et al playing - in fact fascinating for about 20 minutes - but really just seemed to drag after that. For some reason it's split into 2 sections, but both seem pretty much the same. It also is really something only fairly experienced violinists or serious music lovers would appreciate (ie it takes quite a bit of background knowledge).
I can sum this film up as follows:
1. Playing the violin is very difficult if you don't know how to do it.
2. There are lots of good dead violinists.
3. Not all violinists sound the same.
4. Living violinists speak very fondly about dead ones.
5. Err...
6. That's it. -
A real treat for lovers of violin music
This was excellent, although you need to be familiar with the great violin classics to get the most out of it. I loved Itzak Perlman's gravelly voice and knowledgeable commentary on the great players of the 20th Century. The archive clips of virtuoso players in action were absolutely fascinating. My only fleeting disappointment was the absence of any contribution by Nigel Kennedy and the new generation of talented violinists, but I'll still give it five stars.
PS I hadn't realised that about 90% of the world's greatest violinist were Jewish. -
Most recent members' reviews (2)
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art of the violin
good, informative...worth seeing for the video clips of the performers...very nicely done
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The Old Masters are worth preserving...
I did enjoy this programme very much, many of these violinists will just disappear from trace in the modern CD age. It was interesting the way the programme compared them playing the same passages. Itzak Perlman was tremendous with his commentary and it was obvious that he has a genuine respect for them all, which is not always the case with other modern arrogant violinists I could mention (who are clinically note-perfect but lacking the warmth of these old masters). I suppose the programme had to restrict itself to only the violinists of classical music, though of course many more programmes could be made featuring the full 'Art of Violin', but it is well worth watching.
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3 out of 3 people found this review helpful
Bowing and Scraping
I enjoy classical music but know nowt about the fiddle, so this was an opportunity to learn more about the instrument from archive film material and the comments of modern virtuosi.
Overall, I'd recommend it quite highly. You may find the subtitling option useful, as not all the commentary is in English! Some of it also seems to assume the viewer is a fiddle expert with its use of specialist terms. -
3 out of 6 people found this review helpful
A bit bland
This was less about the art of violin and more about a group of violinists (mostly living) talking about other violinists (mostly dead.) It didn't really seem to have very much focus, but was quite interesting to see footage of Kreisler et al playing - in fact fascinating for about 20 minutes - but really just seemed to drag after that. For some reason it's split into 2 sections, but both seem pretty much the same. It also is really something only fairly experienced violinists or serious music lovers would appreciate (ie it takes quite a bit of background knowledge).
I can sum this film up as follows:
1. Playing the violin is very difficult if you don't know how to do it.
2. There are lots of good dead violinists.
3. Not all violinists sound the same.
4. Living violinists speak very fondly about dead ones.
5. Err...
6. That's it. -
A real treat for lovers of violin music
This was excellent, although you need to be familiar with the great violin classics to get the most out of it. I loved Itzak Perlman's gravelly voice and knowledgeable commentary on the great players of the 20th Century. The archive clips of virtuoso players in action were absolutely fascinating. My only fleeting disappointment was the absence of any contribution by Nigel Kennedy and the new generation of talented violinists, but I'll still give it five stars.
PS I hadn't realised that about 90% of the world's greatest violinist were Jewish. -
The Old Masters are worth preserving...
I did enjoy this programme very much, many of these violinists will just disappear from trace in the modern CD age. It was interesting the way the programme compared them playing the same passages. Itzak Perlman was tremendous with his commentary and it was obvious that he has a genuine respect for them all, which is not always the case with other modern arrogant violinists I could mention (who are clinically note-perfect but lacking the warmth of these old masters). I suppose the programme had to restrict itself to only the violinists of classical music, though of course many more programmes could be made featuring the full 'Art of Violin', but it is well worth watching.
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art of the violin
good, informative...worth seeing for the video clips of the performers...very nicely done
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must see for violin/fiddle players
It is like the great encyclopedia for classical violin playing.
Clips from nice performances (after watching this I knew what to look for), and the narration by Itzhak Perlman is also revealing. -
0 out of 1 person found this review helpful
A help for new violinists
This was very interesting for all budding players. Very encouraging to continue in practice to become as good as those in DVD.
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0 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Good but limited scope
Great playing - so great it was close to initimidating my son. We can't all be prodigies!
Narrow - no history, no development of the instrument or the music. Just great players and a few comments on technique.
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THE ART OF VIOLIN dramatically explores the heights to which violin playing has been taken over the 20th century. Acclaimed director Bruno Monsaigeon--who also helmed a series about the legendary ... -
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