This film is about the life of Khachaturian - a composer creating in the darkness of a tragic era. As we will see, like most Soviet citizens, he hid a complex private life behind a mask of Communist loyalty. Khachaturian was the President of the powerful Composer’s Union of the Soviet Union, and as a communist party functionary wielded great influence over the course of Russian music. However, he was also a comrade and personal friend to the dissident composers of the time – Shostakovich, Prokofiev, and others. This documentary shows the fine line a man had to tread between being a loyal party functionary on the one hand, and a fighter for artistic freedom on the other.
Bonus:
1) Mstislav Rostropovich playing Concerto-Rhapsody for Cello and Orchestra (24 mins)
2) Documentary: Making "Khachaturian" (17 mins)
3) Khachaturian: Piano Concerto - Third Movement (9 mins)
Picture format DVD: NTSC 4:3
Sounds formats DVD: PCM Stereo
Region code: 0
Booklet notes: English, German, French
Original Languages: English, Russian
Subtitles: English, Russian, Deutsch, Français, Japanese
“If this film falls between several stools, that very fact is an interesting symptom of the post-Soviet era. Perhaps the strongest points are some beautiful images of Tbilisi and Yerevan, a complete filmed performance of the Concerto-Rhapsody under the composer's baton with Rostropovich as soloist, and some thoughtful comments from composer Tigran Mansurian....it is hard to see anyone lining up to do better.”
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