Product Description This film is by George Gacho and includes participation of Nelson Freire, Friedrich Gulda, Geza Hosszu-Legocky, Edouardo Hubert, Ricardo Rossi, Mauricio Vallina, Wuerttembergisches KammerorchesterJoerg, and Juerg Faerber. Argerich shares her memories. Review Director Georges Gachot centered the hour-long portrait on an informal, night-owl cafe talk with Martha Argerich -- a living legend, if there are any left in classical music. He doesn't ask probing questions of this most enigmatic and media-shy of major musicians, and there is no outside commentary. But, switching from French to English and back, the pianist alights on key topics, dissecting herself bemusedly. With Gachot having gained the trust of a friend, the camera reveals her bohemian incandescence. Argerich flirts naturally with the lens, as beautiful women can. -- Neward Star-Ledger, Bradley Bambarger, September 08, 2008The conversations are what holds the film together; they are soft, immensely appealing, not at all the Matha I would have expected from say, that cannonade of a performance of Prok [sic] 3 she gave here last year. Director Gachot is - I assume that's he - is an attractive interlocutor, and he has put fireball Martha at her ease. More accessible and self-revealing than I would have expected, she talks of her fear of Beethoven; she will never brave the mountain that is the Fourth Concerto, finding satisfaction in the milder-mannered Second. I like what Alex Ross wrote about her, that "her native language is music." She sounds like someone I would like to meet. I wouldn't have thought so before. -- SoIveHeard.com, Alan Rich, July 2008This film offers fans an insightful, unguarded portrait. -- The New York Times, Vivien Schweitzer, August 2008Top 2008 Classics List: "Schumann is my best friend," this most unpredictable of pianists remarks as she relaxes at the piano, rambles through magnificent excerpts from her repertory and, wonderfully at her ease in an hour of sheer, endearing wisdom, confides to filmmaker George Gachot some of her inmost thoughts about the music she plays better than anyone else on earth. -- Bloomberg.com, Alan Rich, December 2008Without any scripted dialogue or cue cards, filmmaker Georges Gachot captures the enigmatic Argentine in spontaneous moments of candor and stillness. Hidden behind long hair and in a thoughtful pose reminiscent of Susan Sontag, Argerich muses on the music that's shaped her career and the people who made it happen. She recalls with laughter how one of her heroes, jazz pianist Errol Garner, had never heard of Debussy and how her teacher, Friedrich Gulda, exerted more musical influence on her than anyone else. Seeing those diminutive hands dominate a keyboard in the Prokofiev Third is a real wonder, but the maturity she shows in Schumann's simple "Of Foreign Lands and People" from Kinderszenen convinced this longtime skeptic the woman can play. -- Time Out Chicago, Bryant Manning, August 2008 P.when('A').execute(function(A) { A.on('a:expander:toggle_description:toggle:collapse', function(data) { window.scroll(0, data.expander.$expander[0].offsetTop-100); }); }); From the Contributor How can one speak of a film that is finally finished but which I had been dreaming of making for more than twenty years? A film that conjures up a picture of a woman, an artist and a pianist whose music has left an indelible mark on my life, influencing my own taste in music and nurturing my dreams as an interpreter? Why is it that certain works, such as Bach's Partita in C minor and Beethoven's Second Piano Concerto are inextricably linked in my mind with Marth Argerich? -- Georges Gachot See more
G**C
What was this film-maker thinking ?
Some of it is well worth seeing but some of it is really annoying.There are some people sometimes in the frame while Martha Argerich is being interviewed and we never find out who they are.And then they are making faces into the camera which has nothing to do with Argerich herself.What was this film-maker thinking.
I**R
Superlative
Guchot's documentary is about Martha Argerich's oneness with the music she plays. We knew it existed already from hearing her performances. Here she articulates it in ways that are candid, joyful, earthy, and most eloquent in her charming manner. She is never pedantic. These conversations reveal the deeply personal and dynamic relationship with her art and the composers who make it happen. Only such humility and integrity, and perhaps a fundamentally iron will, can make her transcendental technique soar in interpretations which have been prodigious and unsurpassed in my concert-going life. Perhaps film gives us a glimpse about a way of being one wish one could achieve. Most tellingly, it is not about the applause, which seems immaterial and irrelevant when dealing with an artist of this caliber (indeed, it is more a release for the audience than a nutrient for a performer in this class..... though they all probably love it). The joy is in the playing. It is all about living the music.This is a unique dvd. Not quite an interview, rather she talks about her music, playing with others, the personal way she has of relating to the composers she performs...... when performing Lizst and Chopin in the same evening she must make sure to play them equally as true to themselves so one won't be jealous of the other. I truly understand her respect and love for Schumann as I totally identify with it. In her casual conversation, these ideas make music a living thing and one gets a glimpse of Argerich's total dedication to her art. This is indeed Martha Argerich conversing about how and why she is a pianist and one gets the information not from a script but from seemingly extemporaneous comments, from body language, indeed from aptly inserted performance footage, including youngster Argerich. Very little biographical information is included, only what surfaces in context of discussions of her music making. This is fine, perhaps even welcomed. The only regret I have is that the documentary goes by too quickly. We are getting glimpses of this dear and revered lady's musical soul and one wants to hold on.There are some wonderful performances attached as bonus. Particularly beautiful and exciting are her encores from a concert in Switzerland (Scarlatti, Chopin, Bach), and the 2 piano version of Lutoslawski Paganini Variations performed by Argerich and the wonderful Mauricio Vallina.Interspersed at convenient intervals throughout the film, there are scenes of Buenos Aires and the Argentine country side that without taking the narrative anywhere, nonetheless add dimension to the discussion. Conversation seemlessly flows back and forth from mostly French, to English with some German and a little Spanish thrown in. The film is well subtitled.Argerich as an artist has always brought me great pleasure and solace. She has nurtured up-and-coming talent like no other. There is no pianist like her and I feel lucky to have been living in her time. One is always waiting for the opportunity to say "Thank you," so let this, even if far removed, be one such.Strongly recommended, indispensible for all lovers of music for the piano.
C**Y
Martha Discloses to a Degree
If you are a Martha Argerich fan like me, you'll likely greatly enjoy this video. Ms. Argerich has been said to be reclusive, impulsive, often haunted by stage fright, and generally shy of the limelight. Coupled with her impassioned, outside-the-envelope playing, Martha engenders enduring admiration and curiosity among her fans. In this approximately 70 minute video, Martha indulges us with a glimpse of her artistic traits, passions, and motivations.The video includes a number of performance excerpts from throughout her career; and particularly, Ms. Argerich describes her special reverence for a favorite teacher from her teenage years, the late Friedrich Gulda. She also describes how she learned the Prokofiev 3rd piano concerto, subliminally.For anyone who would enjoy seeing and hearing this artist's personal insight into her life as an esteemed pianist and as a hair-raising musical genius, buy this video.
Z**A
The Apotheosis of the Creative Spirit
In a 2001 article in The New Yorker critic Alex Ross summed up Martha Argerich as a creative spirit: "Argerich brings to bear qualities that are seldom contained in one person: she is a pianist of brain-teasing technical agility; she is a charismatic woman with an enigmatic reputation; she is an unaffected interpreter whose native language is music. This last may be the quality that sets her apart. A lot of pianists play huge double octaves; a lot of pianists photograph well. But few have the unerring naturalness of phrasing that allows them to embody the music rather than interpret it."A former child prodigy and teenage wonder, Martha Argerich, now in her late sixties, does not seek fame or fortune, but rather to mentor younger musicians. Evening Talks presents her as a creative spirit who is uninterested in creating a legend but is able to talk freely about her interests and fears. She is the genuine article.
U**Y
Wonderful insight into one our our great musicians
I knew very little about this great genius until I saw this video. My belief is that her total dedication to her music and to her instrument have cost her in other ares of her life. There are millions of fans throughout the world who truly love you, Martha, for the gifts you give us.
C**M
Incredible Martha, the intimate phenomena
Wonderful video about a wonderful artist. A perfect balance between intimate conversation and very well chosen music video archives.Beautifully filmed.
B**H
Perspectives
I did, of course, know of Martha Argerich. I have a copy of her debut recording, when she was a teenager of growing international renown. This movie goes back and forth in her career, beginning in medias res, working with a young violinist. The film contains clips of her earlier performances, interspersed with her "evening talks" with associates and the film maker. Her perspectives on her career, her professional relationships, and her relationships with music/composers is beyond enlightening. It is amazing to watch her work. This film will repay both your purchase and your study.
D**
Really interesting
I bought this for my son (who plays classical piano) and he's is a huge fan of Ms. Argerich. As soon as he got it, he put it in the DVD player and made the family watch it! He said it was really interesting!
L**N
Wow - fascinating
A look into the life and personality of Martha Argerich. She speaks to camera, jokes a little. You get to hear her play. What more could you want?If you are interested to know more about this amazing talent, look for a DVD called Bloody Daughter, a documentary by Martha's daughter, Stephanie Argerich.
A**R
More about Martha Argerich
It is quite interesting to know more about Martha Argerich's background, her teachers, her personal growth as a pianist, what she likes, what she dislikes and how she feels when she plays different musicians' pieces. If you are interested in Martha Argerich, it won't disappoint you.
J**N
Glorious
Beautiful piano playing, did not know of her before this purchase but have since bought other items of her. Recommended
D**E
Five Stars
Informative and interesting
S**R
Fascinating artist
A fascinating and rare interview of one of the greatest pianists of the 20th century. This film is sometimes aired on tv but amputed of 15 minutes to fit the tv format. Here it is in its complete form and with a 30 min. bonus. For many years director Gachot asked for an interview, and finally, one night, she talks and hesitates in 5 languages. Born with an out of this world virtuosity, she makes music not to show off but for the pleasure of making music and always with others (a fellow artist or a full orchestra. This is pure enchantment. She speaks about her life and some composers. Many photos and concert excerpts. Argerich, ex-wife of Stephen Kovacevich and Charles Dutoit and mother of three daughters reached 70 years old in 2011. See her jump in a Cappricio from Bach's Partita no 2 as en encore. There is almost no interruption between playing and living.
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