Crossing Rachmaninoff

"Sometimes the hardest journey is one we choose."

Jul 18 2015 N/A 1h 19m
Documentary, Music

A winning portrait of Italian-born Auckland concert pianist Flavio Villani as he returns like the prodigal son to Italy for his concert debut, scaling one of the summits of the Romantic repertoire.

Plot

'Crossing Rachmaninoff' is the story of one man's journey to redemption through Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2. Italian-born Flavio Villani is preparing for a performance that will confirm his arrival as a concert pianist and vindicate his decision to be a musician. This film introduces Flavio in Auckland as he grapples daily with Rachmaninoff's challenging work. It explores the single-minded commitment necessary to become a concert pianist, exposes the professional challenges he must overcome and reveals Flavio's true commitment as he prepares the very piece that proved Rachmaninoff as a composer. Flavio travels to Italy to meet the family who once struggled with their son's homosexuality and discouraged him from a life in music. His first rehearsals with the Orchestra Filarmonica della Calabria reveal up-close the dynamics of orchestral musicians and those who play with them. Flavio must negotiate all of this to become accepted in the classical music community and truly perform at his best. On the biggest night of Flavio's life--the spectacular, moving moments of what has come to be known as 'the Rach 2'--he has his one chance to leave it all on the stage and prove he has what it takes to make it. 'Crossing Rachmaninoff' is a story of many parts. More than a personal odyssey, with all the elements of drama and catharsis that Rachmaninoff himself depicts so splendidly, it explores the fundamental desire to be accepted for who we are. It celebrates the beauty and power of music and the bravery of those who bring it into our lives.

Written by

N/A

Directed by

Rebecca Tansley

Production Countries

New Zealand

Production Companies

Minerva Productions

Languages

English, Italiano

Awards

N/A

Scores
# of Votes
87
Average Rating
7.6 out of 10
Metascore
NA
Popularity
NA