From Mao to Mozart - Isaac Stern in China

Developing the hearts and souls to musical involvement and passion, Isaac Stern meets and plays violin with musicians and gives performances as he tours China. He finds great technical ability, but a lack of understanding. He teaches that there is more to music than just playing the notes, but rather making the notes and lines say something, that words cannot express. As they say in the film, to know the taste of a pear, you must eat it, you cannot study it. So it is with music, you must play it, experience it, feel it. You cannot just study it, but you must be involved intimately. He teaches that the violin is a part of your body, and use the violin to sing as you would sing with your voice. One little girl was told to sing a phrase she had been playing in. After she sang it she was able to play it again with the feeling she had when she sang. Another woman was given demonstrations of phrasing and dancing in the Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso. She had great technical ability to play fast, but played just notes, missing the flirtaciousness of a dance. Isaac demonstrates it and even does a big of a jig to show her how it works.

The sequel (20 years later) was heartwarming. Beijing had transformed herself into a modern metropolis. We meet some of the students and the conductor that had worked with Isaac 20 years ago. It was a heartwarming reunion.

Special attention to luthiers. There is a documentary of Shanghai luthier Tan Shu-chen and his life story (in the Extras), his love for violin, his love of music, and his Christian family background. He was the first Chinese to play in a foreign symphony orchestra. It also goes through the history of 20th century China. There is an incident where the violinists were told to go play for the Japanese officers. Tan refused to play for them and resigned his job. Also interesting postwar history, how he made it through the war, how he stayed in China after 1949, and how he turned to making violins after becoming director of the Shanghai conservatory with lack of instruments. He started a small factory, making violins to give to the students free of charge. He was denounced by a student and his house raided in the Cultural Revolution and imprisoned in a closet in a basement under the stairs and kept away from his violins for more than a year, made to repair toilets, taking care of 122 toilets and taken out for beatings and tortures by the Red Guards. They poured boiling water into one of the musician's ear deafening him. 17 musicians committed suicide under the harsh treatment and humiliation. He never thought of suicide because he is a Christian. He just waited and the sun came out eventually. Later he was cleared and reinstated in the Shanghai Conservatory. Later he saw the Red Guard who was convicted for 8 years of prison, and then later worked again in the conservatory kitchen. He said that if the Guard would talk to him, he would forgive him, and let bygones be bygones. Forgiveness gives him peace of mind. It is so wonderful to know that his faith in Jesus Christ has kept him sane and prospering while in such circumstances. He can now make and play the violins that he so loves. What an uplifting story.

This film is sure to leave you moved and illuminated. Stern's warm, natural persona is an invigorating force, as he encourages young Chinese musicians not just to play musical notes, but to feel them. The lesson is simple: if you feel the joy of the music yourself, you will spread it to all who hear you play. An intimate, revealing glimpse into a first-rate musician and human being, using his special gift to foster unity and understanding.

I came somewhat late to this DVD. I had seen from Mao To Mozart on television but only recently got a copy of the DVD. It was a very refreshing reconnection with a phenominal musician and teacher. I liked the way he worked with the Chinese musicians - having one violinist sing the music and then played like she sang was, to me, inspired but to Stern probably seemed eminently logical in order to help the musician gain a better understanding of the work in front of her. It is an interesting look at a China that is rapidly disappearing - as the market economy roars ahead less of the old China will remain. It is also (1980) just after the cultural revolution and here Stern surprises me - he asks where are the young musicians and seems to not realize that a generation of musicians were being "re-educated". I was a little surprised by his question - I would have thought the answer was self-evident. The return trip to a much different Beijing was equally impressive. It was great to see the evolution of the young musicians - one a musician in the Hong Kong Symphony, others doing well in their own fields and yes the singing violinist is seen again. In all, this is a delightful and very interesting musical documentary. What was a surprise to me was that although I knew Stern had died I was surprised to learn that David Golub had also died - before Stern. This might be considered a fitting tribute to both men for them to bridge the gap (at that time) between China and the rest of the world. I recommend this to historians and musicians alike.

this DVD is excellent for anyone interested in classical music. Issac Stern visits China in the mid 1970's and finds western music is played but not with feeling. He encourages the players he meets and especially the young musicians and finds them very responsive. He revisits 20 years later and hears what happened to music professors during the cultural revolution. He meets again the young players he'd inspired and finds they have successful careers and remember his former visit with gratiude. I wish we had more DVD's of this type.

From Mao to Mozart gets under the skin of a great musician, and reveals the heart of classical music as Isaac Stern travels around China sharing his musical vision with young students. An illuminating documentary on post Mao China, the damage the cultural revolution regime caused it's survivors and an insight into the new generation of music students who hunger for contact with western classical music. This documentary is heart warming and full of optimism.