Documentary on the pianist Menahem Pressler (16 December 1923-6 May 2023), his performance with the Berlin Philharmonic at the Berlin Gala 2014 and his master classes.
With subtitles in English, German and French (in KZfaq player). Featuring interviews with Daniel Harding, Quatuor Ébène, Leonidas Kavakos and Daniel Hope.
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Music performed:
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - Piano Concerto No. 17 in G major, KV. 453 (Menahem Pressler, Semyon Byshkov, Berliner Philharmoniker)
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - Sonata No. 17 in B-flat major, KV. 570 (Menahem Pressler, Semyon Byshkov, Berliner Philharmoniker)
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - Piano Concerto No. 17 in G major KV. 453 (Menahem Pressler)
Frédéric Chopin - Nocturne No. 20 in C-sharp minor (Menahem Pressler)
About the film
The music world knows him for more than half a century and for his famous Beaux Arts Trio. He was the heart of this ensemble and when in 2008 the trio decided to separate, it was not the end for Menahem Pressler - in fact it was the restart of a memorable solo career.
In 2013, the 90-year-old grand seigneur of the piano gave his long overdue debut with the Berliner Philharmoniker, now he returns for the annual New Year’s Eve celebrations: The “Gala from Berlin 2014” has been recorded live and produced by EuroArts Music in co-production with SMG - that’s the artist Menahem Pressler so far. We will meet the person Menahem Pressler in the portrait “The life I love - the pianist Menahem Pressler”. From new recorded talks with Pressler over excerpts from one of his Master Classes, to interviews with artists like Daniel Harding, Quatuor Ébène, Leonidas Kavakos or Daniel Hope, we will gain deep insights into the life of this enchantingly “venerable prodigy”.
Directed by Grete Liffers
© 2014, EuroArts Music International
in co-operation with BR, WDR, rbb & Deutsche Welle