In Search of Mozart

I was recently given the DVD as a present which was a little surprising as I am not normally a fan of this type of film and would not normally choose to buy such a film , however I found it absolutely fascinating and thoroughly enjoyed it. It certainly gave me an insight into the world of Mozart. I thought the Direction & Acting was first class and it brought to life , for me the period and times of Mozart. I would recommend this film to anyone . Watching this film has given me the incentive to become a little more adventurous in my choice of subject and I will be looking to view other films of this type and by this Director.

"In Search of Mozart" is an utterly fascinating documentary which brings the brilliant, sometimes tragic, bawdy and all too human composer to life. Using a combination of his letters read evocatively by leading actors, hundreds of musical clips of orchestras and singers, interviews with scholars and musicians, as well as present day footage of the very long roads he traveled (he was on tour about 1/3 of the days of his short life), Mozart becomes as real as if he sat down to dinner with you. I had the privilege to see this film at Lincoln Center where people laughed and cried and crowded around after to buy the DVD. A film for those who know nothing about Mozart to those who have studied him all their lives.

In Search of Mozart is a really poorly directed documentary that gives a straightforward if somewhat defensive biography of Mozart. Director Phil Grabsky engages in some off-putting extreme close-ups of interviewees/performers (I don't really need to get nose-hair close to them) and the 129-minute movie is unevenly paced. It spends a lot of time on the birth and sudden (if common at the time) death of Mozart's first baby, then barely mentions his father's death in passing. It does a couple of things well. The musicians and their performances are choice (except for Don Giovanni). There are certainly interpretations of Mozart's music that are far worse out there. Best of all are the musicians explaining how certain pieces work while they play select portions. The movie could have used more of this in even greater depth. A deep analysis of Piano Concerto No. 20 could have been sublime.

Anybody who is an outright fan of the music of Wolfgang Amadeaus Mozart should see this film. This, despite a few minor flaws, is a lovingly shot,edited & directed video movie on the life of W.A. Mozart. It includes a treasure trove of Mozart's lovely music,as points of reference. It also incorporates shots of modern day Europe, as a further contrast point to the Europe of the 18th century. I guess my only fly in the ointment is the fact that it tends to gloss over certain periods of Mozart's life/career (I won't spoil it by revealing those minor flaws). This is a documentary that would work very nicely as a special on PBS during their sweeps week, or when they beg for money,as they do from time to time.

On 14 August, Phil Grabsky's "In Search of Mozart" premiered to a New York audience with triumphant flair at the Mostly Mozart Festival, an annual occasion that hosts the world's most renowned Mozart scholars and musicians. It was well received by the Lincoln Center audience, comments echoing in the foyer with excitement and astonishment. It gave me tremendous pleasure to be in attendance at the premiere, having the opportunity to meet the director/producer who has given us the greatest representation of Mozart in film, Phil Grabsky.

Read the New York Sun review at www.nysun.com/article/37972

The roster of featured artists, scholars and compositions is nothing short of amazing. The greatest caliber of musicianship in combination with Mr. Grabsky's ability to unconventionally capture the music and narrative is an unforgettable experience. I honestly cannot say enough about the film, and I plan to endorse it to the fullest deserving capacity!

With Highest Recommendations, Sherry L. Davis (Ohio, USA)