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Bach Movies:
Bach's Life & Documentaries: Index
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Bach Movies:
Bach's Life & Documentaries: Index
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Bach Movie by Michael Lawrence
Discussions
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Details |
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See: New Bach Movie |
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New Bach Film |
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Aryeh Oron wrote (July 15, 2007):I received the message below from Michael Lawrence about a new Bach film. I thought you might find it interesting. ******************************************** Here is the latest on the Bach project. João Carlos Martins called and we have selected some 1994 footage of him performing the Prelude #5 from Book 1 of the WTC for the film. I will film an interview with João Carlos in New York in September. Also, I was contacted by the Washington Bach Consort and they have offered to allow filming of their upcoming performances for the production. Last week I got a call from Leon Fleisher and we had a very pleasant and detailed talk about the film. Leon liked the personal nature of the film's structure and said the premise was an attractive one for him. He wanted to know who would be in the documentary and was curious to know what piece Charles Rosen would be playing for the film - which is the six-part ricercare from A Musical Offering (BWV 1079). Leon suggested that he might be interested in playing the Chromatic Fantasy and Fugue (BWV 903) or my favourite, the Capriccio in Bb for the production. He did not think one of the transcriptions that he performs would be appropriate. Leon also mentioned that filming in his home studio with his 9 foot concert grand might be best. Leon said that he would get back to me when he returns to Baltimore at the end of July. July 5, 2007 Press Release Michael Lawrence Films has begun production on a new film on Johann Sebastian Bach. Hilary Hahn, Edgar Meyer, Béla Fleck, João Carlos Martins, and Matt Haimovitz have all agreed to be in Michael Lawrence's new film on J.S. Bach. In addition, Bobby McFerrin has expressed an interested in doing a duet with Béla Fleck for the documentary. Yo-Yo Ma, Dave Brubeck and Leon Fleisher have also expressed an interest in appearing in the production. What started as a small personal and local film for Mr. Lawrence has blossomed into a major national and international production. An Emmy nominated filmmaker, Michael Lawrence has written, produced, and directed over twenty documentaries, including productions for PBS, CNN and HBO. His films have been honoured by awards from major film festivals around the world. Johann Sebastian Bach's music has always been a very personal experience for Michael Lawrence who is a graduate of the Peabody Conservatory of Music. He decided to approach this film in the same way with the primary focus on world-class Bach players performing one favourite Bach piece - not so much as a performance but rather allowing the audience to share in the performer's experience with the music. Each performer will also film an intimate interview that will explore the player's personal feelings about the piece, reflections on Bach as well as comments and stories concerning Bach - the man, his music and his influence. As the project grew and developed, Mr. Lawrence decided to expand the perspective of the documentary. Bach scholar Christoph Wolff will do an interview for the film as will Sid Meyer who wrote the computer program CPU Bach. Joshua Rifkin is also considering granting an interview for the production. Due to the support of Tim Page the Washington Post Pulitzer Prize-Winning music critic, David Posen, attorney for the Glenn Gould estate has opened up the entire Gould archive for use in the film. Also materials from the Rosalyn Tureck archive are also available due to the help of Teri Noel Towe and Michael Charry. Production will begin in August with Felix Hell, the acclaimed young German Bach player performing on the Holtkamp organ at Peabody. Charles Rosen is enthusiastic about appearing in the film and will perform the six-part fugue or ricercare from A Musical Offering. Manuel Barrueco will play and comment on the G minor fugue from the first sonata for unaccompanied violin. Michael Lawrence especially wants this film to reach out to young people who have almost completely disassociated themselves from classical music. By including Felix Hell (20 years old), Hilary Hahn (27 years old) and Matt Haimovitz, who often plays in rock clubs, Mr. Lawrence hopes to rekindle the love of Bach in young music lovers. Peter Schickele of PDQ Bach, who will also appear in the film, said, "it is about time someone did an out-of-the-box film on Bach." "I have looked at dozens of films on Bach and not even one is truly engaging or worthy of the master," said Mr. Lawrence. With a little luck, he hopes this production will fill that void. Mr. Lawrence is currently seeking the additional funding needed for the expanded production. More information on Michael Lawrence Films can be found at: http://www.mlfilms.com/ http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1676041/resume YouTube Clips of Michael Lawrence Films productions can be found at: YouTube ICOM Magazine Announcement of Bach Film. |
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Santu de Silva wrote (July 16, 2007):[To Aryeh Oron] I'm only too delighted to hear about this project! As to whether there are Bach films worthy of the master, it is traditional to be critical of one's competition before the project gets underway, but Swinging Bach, the Bobby McFerrin entry is not bad at all, neither are any of the Bach DVDs. Only the Bobby McFerrin DVD even tries to touch on a large variety of Bach opuses (opera?) we must grant, except for The Chronicle of Anna Magdalena Bach. Unfortunately, artists who are left out of the project will probably be thoroughly disappointed! I think it's a wonderful idea. I thoroughly endorse Bela Fleck's participation; I just had to have his CD when I heard it. I wish they would also consider Brian Slawson, one of many percussionists who adore doing Bach. (Gosh, I just would not have the nerve to start a project like this; I would be too anxious about leaving too many people out! For instance, though Yo-yo Ma's Simply Baroque was just wonderful, I don't know really what he could add to a project like this. On the other hand, Lukas Foss's Art of Fuguing has some fabulous movements, which might be hard to incorporate into a visual medium, such as a film.) As far as appealing to younger listeners, I wonder how much can really be done. How much, for example, did Amadeus (the movie) do for Mozart? Is the word definitively in on that? Perhaps what is needed now is a combination of the sorts of Bach music that would catch the imagination of younger folks, together with a movie with more personal interest, e.g. something on the lines of the A-M Bach movie, but less apologetic. Youthful imaginations are fired by personalities rather than abstractions, imo. |
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Michael Lawrence wrote (July 28, 2007):Here is the latest on production for the Bach Film. We begin filming with Felix Hell at Peabody on August 19th. Teri Towe went to Felix's NTC Trinity Church concert yesterday and said it was a big success. He opened the program with Bach's Prelude and Fugue in D Major. The fugue is the piece Felix will play for the film. Here is a link to the video: Also, I will shoot Hilary Hahn sometime in August. João Carlos Martins is flying specifically to Baltimore for his filming which we will do either September 8 or 9. Matt Haimovitz is set for October 11th in Arlington at the Iota Club. I just today realized I could sign up for you email mailing lists which I did. I guess I missed you posting an announcement for the film on your lists. Please send me a copy when you get a chance. Teri Towe said he would also post to his list. Baltimore Sun Bach Article ICOM Bach Film Announcement MLF Movie Trailers are up! You Tube Clips |
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Michael Lawrence wrote (September 3, 2007):The Bach project is off and running. Here is the link to an initial cut of the first day's filming with Felix Hell. João Carlos Martins, who was suggested for the film by Dave Brubeck, will fly into Baltimore at his own expense to do an interview next Sunday at the Peabody Conservatory. He is also providing archival footage of his performance of the D Major Prelude and Fugue from Book one of the Well Tempered Clavichord. We will also film João Carlos giving a lesson to a student that Leon Fleisher has recommended. Other filming dates are falling into place. On October 11th, we film Matt Haimovitz at the Iota Club in Arlington Virginia. Then we film Manuel Barrueco in his home performing the G minor fugue from the first violin sonata on October 29th. MICHAEL LAWRENCE FILMS 6708 Danville Avenue Baltimore, MD 21222 (410) 633-0558 (410) 633-5868 Fax Baltimore Sun Bach Article ICOM Bach Film Announcement MLF Movie Trailers are up! You Tube Clips |
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Michael Lawrence wrote (September 17, 2007):I put up an initial cut of the João Carlos footage and the links are below. If your computer has difficulty playing Quick Time files, the clips are also up on You Tube with the links below. Bach Film - Joåo Carlos Martins Cut Joåo Carlos Martins Cut on You Tube Bach Film - Felix Hell Initial Cut Felix Hell Cut on You Tube Baltimore Sun Bach Article ICOM Bach Film Announcement MLF Movie Trailers MLF You Tube Clips |
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Michael Lawrence wrote (October 27, 2007):Hi Oron: I hope all is well. I thought you might be interested in seeing a clip of the latest shoot with Matt Haimovitz. I film with Manuel Barrueco Monday. Matt Haimovitz, Cellist - October 11, 2007 Initial Cut (QuickTime file - Highest Quality - Broadband - recent computer) Matt Haimovitz, Cellist - October 11, 2007 Initial Cut (YouTube) I got the final OK from Bobby McFerrin to appear in the film. I have had a tremendous response to the clip of João Carlos and due to it, I am being considered for the: http://ark.media.mit.edu/~eg/draft/ http://www.the-eg.com/ Michael Hawley is currently arranging the EG ’07 schedule and hopes to find a brief time slot for me to make a presentation on the Bach project. The EG ’07 gathering is in Los Angeles in December. Also thanks to Mike, I met with Morton H. Meyerson who is interested in providing some funding for the film. The Dallas Symphony Hall bears his name. Bach Film - Joåo Carlos Martins Cut Joåo Carlos Martins Cut on You Tube Bach Film - Felix Hell Initial Cut Felix Hell Cut on You Tube Baltimore Sun Bach Article ICOM Bach Film Announcement MLF Movie Trailers MLF You Tube Clips |
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Michael Lawrence wrote (November 17, 2007):I've been invited to show a sample reel of the Bach project at the prestigious EG'07 conference in LA Dec 2-4: Bach Film Sample Reel at EG'07 I have been busy cutting the sample reel and will get you a description for you web page when I return. I hope t raise some funds there for the Bach project. I now have a fiscal sponsor, The Handel Choir of Baltimore so donations can go to a 501(c)(3). A donor, who wishes to remain anonymous, has come forward and offered to match any funds given to the project. The terrific young Bach player, Simone Dinnerstein has come aboard the Bach project. Her recent recording of the Goldberg is the best I have heard since Glenn Gould and I love many, many other Goldberg recordings. Simone Dinnerstein Thanks again for your support of the Bach project. Bach Film — Manuel Barrueco Cut Manuel Barrueco Cut on YouTube Bach Film — Matt Haimovitz Cut Matt Haimovitz Cut on YouTube Bach Film — Joåo Carlos Martins Cut Joåo Carlos Martins Cut on YouTube Bach Film — Felix Hell Initial Cut Felix Hell Cut on YouTube MLF Movie Trailers MLF YouTube Clips |
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Bach Film at EG'07 |
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Michael Lawrence wrote (December 13, 2007):[To Aryeh Oron] It was such an honor for the Bach Project to be featured at this year's EG'07 - Richard Saul Wurman's sequel to his landmark TED conferences. Attending and being a presenter at the conference was the experience of a lifetime. What an amazing group of creative people! I met everyone from Steve Wozniak to Norman Corwin, Marvin Minsky and Bob Dylan's son Jesse. The eclectic group included quantum physicist Brian Greene, author Amy Tan, founder of the MIT Media Lab Nicholas Negroponte whose current project is the $100 computer for kids in developing nations, pianist Leon Fleisher came directly from receiving this year's Kennedy Center Award and performed for the group of five hundred attendees and the great Jonathan Winters brought the house down. Tten-minute Bach sample reel was screened midday on the first day of the three day conference which was held at the Getty Center in Los Angeles. Projected on a thirty-foot screen, the high definition sample of Bach footage looked as sharp as a tack and the quality of the sound was spectacular. It was very well received; and when the house lights came up, people were still applauding. After the screening, I gave a brief talk and mentioned the funding needs of the project. I closed my presentation with the story of Carl Sagan asking Dr. Lewis Thomas what we should include in the Voyager 1 mission - the first probe to search for extraterrestrial intelligence. Thomas suggested to Sagan, "I think we should send all of Bach - but of course we would be bragging." I ended the presentation by commenting that Voyager 1 has now left our solar system and is streaking through the Milky Way with Bach as our calling card. A number of people came up to me after the screening offering to contribute to the project including John Abele, the founder and chairman of Boston Scientific. When I returned to Baltimore, I received an email from John saying that he will donate a significant amount to the project in an out right grant and also put up an even larger amount in matching funds. A check from the Argosy Foundation, his family foundation, will be sent to the Bach Project's non-profit sponsor The Handel Choir of Baltimore. When the conference's founder Richard Saul Wurman gave his closing presentation, he mentioned only two of the fifty or so presentations - Negroponte's $100 computer and the Bach Project. Richard also mentioned that he appeared in my Library of Congress film many years ago and that he recently viewed the hour film and said it was as powerful today as it was fifteen years ago and urged everyone in the audience to have a look at Memory and Imagination: New Pathways to the Library of Congress. With John Abele's generous support, the filming which had been at a standstill is off and running again. There are a lot of great Bach players that have agreed to be in the film and are waiting for a filming date. We start with Simone Dinnerstein in New York on December 18th. Simone Dinnerstein, Pianist Hilary Hahn, Violinist Peter Schickele, PDQ Bach Charles Rosen, pianist Béla Fleck, banjoist Benjamin Ivry, music writer Sid Meier, game designer/CPU Bach Edgar Meyer, bassist/composer Christoph Wolff, Bach scholar Tim Page, music critic Teri Noel Towe, Annotator/Music Writer Glenn Gould Estate Rosalyn Tureck Estate Bobby McFerrin, singer/conductor Ward Swingle, Swingle Singers I guess dreams do actually come true. Have a great holiday season. Bach & Mike @ EG'07 Bach Pages & Cuts are Up @ mlfilms.com |
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Bach Project 2008 |
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Michael Lawrence wrote (January 4, 2008):The Bach Project is off and running in 2008. Thanks to John Abele and the Argosy Foundation, initial funding is in place and matching funds are available for future donations. EG'07 Blog Kevin Bazzana, author of "Wondrous Strange: The Life and Art of Glenn Gould" has written up the Bach Project for the Glenn Gould Foundation Web Page. Production is now moving forward at full steam. Next up will be filming with Joshua Bell in Philadelphia on February 1st. In December we filmed Simone Dinnerstein in her Brooklyn home and Tim Page, the Pulitzer Prize-Winning music critic and close friend of Glenn Gould in Baltimore. Here is the latest web cut with Simone Dinnerstein: Simone QuickTime Cut Simone Cut on YouTube TO BE FILMED Joshua Bell, violinist Peter Schickele, PDQ Bach Charles Rosen, pianist Béla Fleck, banjoist Hilary Hahn, Violinist Benjamin Ivry, music writer Sid Meier, game designer/CPU Bach Edgar Meyer, bassist/composer Christoph Wolff, Bach scholar Teri Noel Towe, Annotator/Music Writer Glenn Gould Estate Rosalyn Tureck Estate Bobby McFerrin, singer/conductor Ward Swingle, Swingle Singers COMPLETED PRODUCTION Tim Page, Music Critic Simone Dinnerstein, Pianist Manuel Barrueco, Guitarist Matt Haimovitz, Cellist Joáo Carlos Martins, Pianist/Conductor Felix Hell, Organist All the best for the new year, Bach Project on Glenn Gould Foundation Web Page Eg'07 Blog Bach & Mike @ EG'07 Bach Pages & Cuts are Up @ mlfilms.com |
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Bach Movies:
Bach's Life & Documentaries: Index
by Title | Index by Year |
Last update: ýJanuary 5, 2008 ý20:26:39