ma-cortes
Weird , bizarre story of Tchaikovsky's life . Based partially on facts , as Tchaikovsky lived as a bachelor for most of his life . As piano teacher Peter Ilych Tchaikovsky (Richard Chamberlain) is an emotionally insecure man who struggles against his homosexuality . In 1868 he met Belgian soprano Désirée Artôt . They became infatuated with each other and were engaged to be married but due to Artôt's refusal to give up the stage or settle in Russia , the relationship ended . Tchaikovsky later claimed she was the only woman he ever loved . In 1877, at the age of 37 , he wed a former but depressed student , Antonina Miliukova (Glenda Jackson) . The marriage was a disaster . Mismatched psychologically and sexually , the couple lived together for only two and a half months before Tchaikovsky left , overwrought emotionally and suffering from an acute writer's block . Tchaikovsky's marital debacle may have forced him to face the full truth about his sexuality and he never blamed Antonina for the failure of their marriage . Tchaikovsky's family remained supportive of him during this crisis and throughout his life . He was also aided by Nadezhda Von Meck (Izabella Telezynska) , the widow of a railway magnate who had begun contact with him not long before the marriage . As The support of a wealthy widow as a patron gives him the artistic support he needs . As well as an important friend and emotional support , she also became his patroness for the next 13 years , which allowed him to focus exclusively on composition . Tchaikovsky remained abroad for a year after the disintegration of his marriage. During this time, he completed Eugene Onegin , orchestrated his Fourth Symphony and composed the Violin Concerto . The formal Western-oriented teaching he received there set him apart from composers of the contemporary nationalist movement embodied by the Russian composers of The Five (it refers to a circle of composers who met in Saint Petersburg, in the years 1856–1870 : Mily Balakirev , César Cui, Modest Mussorgsky, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov and Alexander Borodin), with whom his professional relationship was mixed . He was the first Russian composer whose music made a lasting impression internationally, bolstered by his appearances as a guest conductor in Europe and the United States . Tchaikovsky was honored in 1884 by Emperor Alexander III, and awarded a lifetime pension .This is an intense and thoughtful tale about a thunderous relationship proceeded in a Russel's style . As the film displays his trademarks , extreme angle cameras , excessive facial close-ups, utilization of numerous camera shots with primary colors and overblown visuals . Dealing with the tortuous struggles to have his music accepted as well as Pyotr attempts to suppress his homosexuality , experiencing serious psychological damage . In Ken Russell's own words: ¨It's the story of the marriage between a homosexual and a nymphomaniac that proved to be disastrous¨ . It's a convincing picture though relies heavily on the stormy relationship between Tchaikovsky/Richard Chamberlain and Nina/Glenda Jackson . Magnificent acting with exaggerated but convincing performances . Russell offered Alan Bates the lead role of Tchaikovsky during the filming of Women in love (1969) ; although Bates admired the script he turned the role down . Excellent main cast and secondary actors , such as Kenneth Colley , Bruce Robinson and Max Adrian as Nicholas Rubinstein , among others . Glamorous cinematography with exceptional attention to detail and captivating images by Douglas Slocombe . Spectacular musical score by Andre Previn conducting famous parts as Romeo and Juliet , overture 1812 , miniature march , dance of the clowns , Scherzo burlesque , Manfred Symphony , 6th Symphony , String Quartet No. 3 , Polovtsian Dances from "Prince Igor" by Borodin . The motion picture was well directed with flamboyance style by Ken Rusell . He's an expert director , whose greatest success was in the 70s with an offbeat musical biographies , such as 'Mahler , Lizstomania , Music lovers' , besides he directed another hits , as ¨Women in love¨ , ¨Valentino¨ and ¨The Devils¨. This outlandish biographic chronicle will appeal to Ken Russell fans.
kenjha
The only reason for watching this biopic is to listen to Tchaikovsky's music. There are extended music videos set to the First Piano Concerto and the "1812" Overture. It could have used more of the composer's music. Instead we get embarrassing melodrama. Living down to his reputation, Russell wallows in tastelessness. While the events are based on known facts, the film includes such silly scenes as Mrs. Tchaikovsky having affairs with Rimsky-Korsakov and Borodin to make her husband jealous. Jackson is alluring but she's too good of an actress for such camp. Chamberlain plays Tchaikovsky as such a ninny that it's hard to believe he could have composed such magnificent music.
gazebo350
I saw this movie several times when it first came out. And tho it is a free fantasy on the the composers life, still there were some stirring scenes in it where Tchaikovsky's vehement dramatic music accompanies the narrative. well there is a lot thats brilliant about this errant film and is enjoyable in spite of its many foibles. those of us who have followed Tchaikovsky's life will see much in this film that is purely ridiculous. by the way Tchaikovsky did not take his own life. (i recommend poznansky's "the last days of Tchaikovsky" to put that canard to rest.) the fictionalized biography "beloved friend" on which this is based is not a reliable source. it also came out in the 1930's when so much about the man was still hidden. however this might be its a much better effort than "Tchaikovsky" the movie that came out the same year from Russia. indeed "the music lovers" is a cinematic masterpiece next to that offering. so those of us who are Tchaikovsky lovers still await a rendering that would do the subject justice. (the earlier effusion "song of my heart" 1947 was an even greater travesty.)
JasparLamarCrabb
Ken Russell's film of the life of Tchaikovsky and his lunatic wife is unabashedly opulent and more than a little wacky. A woefully miscast Richard Chamberlain plays the title role and he's awful...was one of the world's great composers really THIS vapid? Glenda Jackson as his unhinged wife is a lot better..in fact she's a lot more animated than usual. She's also a lot prettier than usual donning a full head of hair and looking quite foxy in costumes that leave little to the imagination. Russell's direction is also terrific...the scenes of Jackson in an insane asylum are among the best Russell's ever done. It's certainly much better and more cerebral than Russell's later LISZTOMANIA --- that may or may not have more to do with the classy screenplay by Melvyn Bragg, but no matter, THE MUSIC LOVERS is a must see for Russell aficionados.
