Chamber Music Sedona and the Sedona International Film Festival have again joined hands in its growing partnership to present a full slate of Musical Movies from October to June at the Mary D. Fisher Theater. “We began this partnership several years ago, and we’re pleased to make this a full season production,” said CMS executive director Bert Harclerode. “This year’s films range from China to Africa, from Bluegrass to Jazz as well as the world of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart to many of America’s greatest Jazz greats. We’ll present six films in total in advance of each concert series,” said Harclerode.
The series begins Monday, October 6 at 7pm with the Academy Award-winning documentary “From Mao to Mozart” in advance of the Shanghai Quartet concert, which will take place Sunday, October 19.
“From Mao to Mozart” began in 1979, as China re-opened its doors to the West. Virtuoso Isaac Stern received an unprecedented invitation from its government to tour the country. This extraordinary experience became the landmark, Oscar-winning documentary. Isaac Stern’s historic trip to China was ground-breaking and his influences continue to this day. The film includes footage of Stern's visit to the Central Conservatory of Music and Shanghai Conservatory of Music where he gave master classes to Chinese music students on violin playing and musical expression.
He visits rehearsals of the Peking Opera, meeting with their musicians who use traditional Chinese instruments, and also visits a sports academy and other venues. The lingering effects of the Cultural Revolution, which opposed any western influences and oppressed those who introduced western approaches, are evident in the lack of skill development among many of the young musicians and the emphasis on technical skill rather than artistic interpretation.