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43 of 43 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Here are some Arrau recordings not found anywhere else!, June 12, 2004
By A Customer
This review is from: Rhapsody [VHS] (VHS Tape)
Regardless of the debatable qualities of the plot and the economical technical characteristics of the movie-making, I enjoyed this period film because it helped popularize classical music at the time. More specifically, because great violinist Michael Rabin and great pianist Claudio Arrau actually played the music, a good deal of it accompanied by an unidentified orchestra directed by Johnny Green. I am also mindful of the fact that this is the only record left to us of Arrau's playing passages of Rachmaninoff's piano concerto No. 2 (and how characteristically beautiful the piano sounds!). Apart from various passages by Chopin, Liszt and Schumann that Arrau recorded more than once elsewhere, the film contains an astonishing excerpt from Scriabin's Etude No. 12 (Op. 8) never recorded elsewhere by him, and a beautiful excerpt of a popular Strauss waltz, likewise never recorded by Arrau elsewhere. (This is not to mention an excerpt from Liszt's Liebesträume No 3 with a wrong note for Liz Taylor). There is also the piano accompanying of violinist Rabin's rehearsing the Tchaikovsky violin concerto, which is unique. I suspect that recordings longer than the ones actually used for the film may have been made. A DVD release of this movie may be the ideal medium to collect and preserve for posterity a restored edition of such recordings, particularly those items which were recorded uniquely for this film.
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21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Corny Plot; Liz Taylor at her Most Gorgeous; and Beautiful Music, February 3, 2009
This movie has always been one of my favorites because it brings me back to my college years (long time ago). It stars Elizabeth Taylor, Vittorio Gassman and John Ericson , all at their most stunning physically if not artistically. However, there is not too much to be done with the schmaltzy story about the rich and beautiful young woman who pursues her dashing violinist across Europe only to learn that his violin is more important to him than her company or her money. Meanwhile, her neighbor (Ericson), also a gifted musician (pianist), is yearning for her and happily puts her ahead of his music. Taylor's wealthy father is played effortlessly by Louis Calhern as a sardonic but ultimately caring force in her life (a typical Calhern role). I recommend this film as wonderful escapism and suggest you forget about serious content, lasting significance, etc. and just sit back and enjoy a glamorous if vapid Liz Taylor, a handsome pair of suitors (especially Gassman) and some of the most beautiful music in the world (there are soaring performances, or partial performances, and background music featuring Tchaikovsky's violin concerto, Rachmaninov's piano concerto and assorted other classical masterpieces). I was delighted when this came out on DVD but it seems to be in short supply. However, the DVD is an excellent transfer and is much more beautiful to watch and hear than the old video.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An enjoyable movie, December 10, 2002
This review is from: Rhapsody [VHS] (VHS Tape)
I plan on buying the VHS of this movie just based on seeing it on cable tv recently. It is hard to find any work done by actor John Ericson on TV or tape. I enjoyed his performance overall very much, and especially, his scene in the bar with Vittorio Gassman, and when he plays the piano concerto. Elizabeth Taylor also, did a commendable job. The whole cast was well selected and were good in their performances. I also enjoyed the performance of the actor, don't remember his name, who played the part of Professor Schuman. This is purely a romantic movie, and I being a romantic at heart, loved it. Beautiful scenery, beautiful classial music and a well assembled cast with good performances are truly worth buying the tape. I just hope that in the future this movie will be released on DVD. I will be the first in line to purchase it.
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