Movie – The Concert

Saw a wonderful movie called “The Concert”, part of the Jewish Film Fest that’s coming up in November.  They have the odd screening on a Sunday morning, serving bagels and coffee, to entice people to come out to the Festival once it arrives.  The music was exquisite, the plot was far-fetched but humorous and touching, and I highly recommend it.  It’s not new, maybe 2009, but available, I think, on DVD.  I would love to get the soundtrack as there is some gypsy music in it that I just love, in addition to the main concert music, Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto in D major.  

The story line really added a lot to the music, with this performance of the "Bolshoi's" orchestra, marking a return to conducting for the conductor and a return to playing for all the orchestra members after a 30-year hiatus.  Their last performance in Moscow had been interrupted by the KGB, the conductor’s baton was snapped in half, and all of the orchestra members lost their place in society for being or supporting Jewish musicians.   Playing together again in Paris, with a beautiful violinist who had a close connection with them that she didn’t know about, made the concert so moving to watch and hear.  That young woman who played the part of the guest violinist threw herself into the part with every ounce of passion and expression, her eyes and her tears all contributing to her amazing performance, through which and after which her true identity became known to her.