Mozart and night-music beautifully studied.
Mozart was one of Britten's heroes, a favourite when the composer had to perform as a virtuoso, and conduct: here we have a Mozart symphony, which he called 'the loveliest'. This black-and-white film of a 1964 performance is a glimpse into mid-20th century music-making at its finest, the camera focusing in on the orchestral playing of some famous figures as well as Britten's conducting style --- nuanced, clear, free of large dramatic gestures--- and the result is both subtle and exciting. This is contrasted with a colour film of Mendelssohn from 1970 when Britten was already ill with his mortal heart condition. He still coaxes his players into full, resonant romantic sound, his directions as decisive as ever, but the man is white with fatigue and less steady on his feet than before. The real prize, however, is the centerpiece, Britten's own 'little night-music', the Nocturne. Less than half an hour in length, the Nocturne is an exploration as much of the 'subtle and beautifully...
Click to Editorial Reviews
No comments:
Post a Comment