February Documentaries
Tuesdays in February
On Stingray Classica, the month of February brings four documentaries on formidable figures within the classical music genre. Tune in every Tuesday to learn about four men whose unique contribution to their field of expertise, be it ballet, conducting or composing shaped generations to come. The special commences on the 4th of February with “Rudolf Nureyev: Celestial Attraction”, a documentary examining the life and legacy of Russian ballet dancer Rudolf Nureyev. The following week, “The Indomitable Bow” offers a unique portrait of Russian cellist Mstislav Rostropovich. Including unreleased documents, archive films, interviews and concert performances from this key figure of the 20th century, the documentary is a remarkable testimony of the life and work of the legendary ‘Slava’, produced in 2018. On the 18th of February, fans of Sir Colin Davis can enjoy an intimate portrait that intends to reveal the man behind the musician through a look behind the scenes of his work alongside the London Symphony Orchestra in “Sir Colin Davis - The Man and His Music”. The series concludes with “Benjamin Britten - Peace and Conflict”, a documentary drama created by composer Tony Britten - not related to Benjamin Britten- , who is known for the famous Champions League hymn. Starring as young Benjamin Britten is Alex Lawther, known for his roles in several Netflix original productions.
Rudolf Nureyev: Celestial Attraction
Tuesday, 4 february
This documentary, written and directed by French film producer Sonia Páramo, takes a close look at the life and legacy of Russian ballet dancer Rudolf Nureyev. Born in Irkutsk, Russia, on the Trans-Siberian express train, Rudolf Nureyev's life was marked by constant motion - as if his unusually dynamic birthplace depicted the story of his life. From taking the stage of the Paris Opera, to a guest-appearance alongside Miss Piggy on the Muppet Show - Nureyev's charisma and virtuoso talent radically challenged more traditional customs of classical dance. The 2008 production shines a light on the life and extraordinary work of Nureyev in all its grace, passion, excess and drama. It provides a unique insight on Nureyev's life through interviews, archived footage, re-enactments and original dance sequences.
Rostropovich - The Indomitable Bow
Tuesday, 11 february
The Indomitable Bow is a marvelous documentary film, offering a unique portrait of Mstislav Rostropovich. The Russian cellist is known to have been a formidable personality as well as a complex, deeply political musician constantly engaged in a whirlwind of activities. Including unreleased documents, archive films, interviews and concert performances from this key figure of the 20th century, The Indomitable Bow is a remarkable testimony of the life and work of the legendary “Slava.” The film was produced 2018 by Pierre-Olivier Bardet and Pierre-Martin Juban, and directed by Bruno Monsaingeon.
Sir Colin Davis - The Man and his Music
Tuesday, 18 february
Sir Colin Davis (1927-2013), dubbed by the Financial Times as “the reluctant King of English music making”, can look back on an extraordinary career as a conductor and teacher of classical music. This documentary intends to reveal the man behind the musician: a human being whose serenity and Zen-like approach has become a common thread in all of his work. In Sir Colin Davis' own words: “When everyone in the orchestra feels responsible for the piece of music, that’s when life begins”. As this documentary shows, Davis seems to have found the perfect instrument for making music in his unique way among the London Symphony Orchestra. Directed by Reiner E. Moritz in 2012.
Benjamin Britten - Peace and Conflict
Tuesday, 25 february
Benjamin Britten - Peace and Conflict is a feature-length drama documentary, written, directed and produced by British composer Tony Britten. The star-studded 2013 production explores how Britten’s pacifist beliefs developed from a young man’s curiosity about communism and its links with pacifism, to a gradual realisation that politicising the peace movement, at the time a reaction to the fascist threat, was for him, not the answer. This manifestation of beliefs led the Suffolk-born artist to the adoption of what might be called a “pure” pacifism, informing various of his compositions from the mid-1940s onwards, culminating in the famous War Requiem. Starring as young Benjamin Britten himself is Alex Lawther, known for his roles in several Netflix original productions.