Pierre’s Favorite Piano-Themed Movies
December 10, 2020
Have you ever sat down on the couch to watch a piano-themed film and wondered, “Is this even going to be any good?” Have no fear! Our Director, Pierre, is here with his movie recommendations for your night-in.
This blog contains Amazon Affiliate links and we receive a small portion of the purchases made through them. We appreciate you taking the time to read it!
For a stay-at-home date night:
The Piano (1993)
A mute woman is married off to a rich landowner. Along with her comes her two most prized possessions: her daughter and her piano. When her new husband refuses to take the piano into his home, his neighbor buys it from him, starting a relationship with her that neither can forget.
Rent it here:
When you’re in the mood for an Oscar Winner:
Green Book (2018)
The true story of pianist Dr. Don Shirley and his driver, Tony Lip during Shirley’s eight-week tour of the Midwest and deep south in 1962. The pair follow the Green Book, a guide for African-Americans to find places that would serve them, and Lip observes the discrimination Shirley faces as a Black pianist.
Buy it here:
If you need a good, long cry:
The Pianist (2002)
A biographical film about Polish-Jewish pianist Władysław Szpilman during World War II. Think Schindler’s List, but about music, and you’ll be on the right track for the kind of emotion this movie will elicit.
Rent it here:
When you want to see what makes an artist tick:
Thirty Two Short Films about Glenn Gould (1993)
A composite of thirty-two short films on pianist Glenn Gould. The movie follows Gould from childhood through his untimely death at age 50 and includes interviews with those who knew him, as well as reenactments with actor Colm Feore playing the part of Gould.
Rent it here:
If you’re in need of a mood-booster:
Madame Sousatzka (1988)
A young Bengali immigrant attends piano lessons with Madame Sousatzka, a Russian-American piano teacher who lives out her dreams of becoming a virtuoso pianist through her students. Shirley MacLaine plays the titular role!
Rent it here:
When you want something to watch with the kids:
Pontoffel Pock, Where Are You (1980)
Introduce your children to Dr. Seuss! After getting laid off from his job, Pontoffel Pock is gifted a piano that will take him anywhere he wants as long as he plays the right six notes. Bountiful adventures ensue.
Watch it for free on Youtube here:
For an intimate portrait of a pianist and his craft:
Daniil Trifonov – The Magics of Music (2015)
A documentary about pianist and composer Daniil Trifonov. The film portrays the young pianist playing pieces by Ravel, Chopin, and himself as he prepares for the world premiere of his First Concerto at the Cleveland Institute in April of 2014.
The full movie was recently released on Youtube by Allegro Films — watch it here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PjwhLqDUr8&t=38s
If you’ve ever been curious what it would be like to have a famous pianist as a parent:
Bloody Daughter (2012), also titled Argerich
Directed by her daughter, Stéphanie, this film follows the relationship between pianist Martha Argerich and her family, focusing especially on her marriage to pianist Stephen Kovacevich.
Watch it free with Amazon Prime here:
If you want to see how some of our Gilmore Artists and Gilmore Young Artists decide how to interpret one of the most beloved composers of the 19th Century:
The Art of Chopin (2010)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JelhBxysdOo&feature=emb_logo
Gilmore Artists Rafał Blechacz and Piotr Anderszewski, as well as Gilmore Young Artist Yuja Wang, are interviewed for this documentary about the legacy of Frederic Chopin and his music.
Subscribe to Medici.tv to watch.
Watched one of the films Pierre recommended? Tag us @GilmoreFestival in your review on social media!
Happy watching!