L'amour de la vie - Artur Rubinstein

Few people can so fully express themselves with words as those most adept with a musical instrument. The harshest, and most convincing critique that I ever saw of Soviet-style communism (I have read Doctor Zhivago and the Gulag Archipelago, thank you!) upon those who avoided its lethal terrors that I ever saw was in liner notes for a set of the Bach cello suites by Mstislav Rostropovich (a fellow now about as old as Rubinstein was when he appeared in Love of Life) -- written by Rostropovich himself, arguing that the fault with Marxism-Leninism was its exaggerated valuation of the material world. Everything material eventually becomes junk unless some person has imbued it with undeniable genius -- a fact that ML could never recognize due to its blindness. Rubinstein was fortunate enough to escape the worst fate possible only because of his greatness as a pianist, but even his powers as a pianist could not spare many of those that he loved, including all of his Jewish family.

This documentary shows the great Artur Rubinstein one who could express himself almost as as adeptly in words as in music. If you don't understand why I give that qualification, then go to a classical music section of a decent record store and buy any recording of Rubinstein's performances. Anything! Some pianists have shown greater talent for musical pyrotechnics than he, but nobody could put a personality on Mozart, Brahms, Beethoven, or especially Chopin as could Rubinstein. It's almost as if those great composers had written their music for a pianist that they had never seen and never could have met. What a miracle!

Rubinstein, then in his early eighties, was still a formidable figure in music. It's only in extreme age that many musicians reach the apex of the refinement of their ability to get the most powerful expressions from the piano, the violin, the cello, or the orchestra, becoming (like the semi-mythical Merlin) younger and fresher as they age.

We have an insight into the person, but only if we can get this

testimony to his musical and verbal eloquence. Please, someone -- re-release this essential document!

Some one is selling a 16 mm copy of the film on ebay right now. I've never seen it for sale before in any form. It would be amazing if someone bought this and converted it to DVD and somehow made it available to the public. Here's what the ad says:

France (1969): Documentary by French filmmaker Francois Reichenbach about the celebrated pianist. This is the complete film in 16 mm format, on large three reels, running a total of 89 minutes. The film is in reasonably good condition, with some fading of colors and scratchiness of sound commensurate with its age, but certainly eminently watchable. Never released on video or DVD and remains commercially unavailable (despite an erroneous listing on Netflix). This is one of a handful of known prints of the film in the world. The original large format poster on heavy paper will be included (see photo).

Artur Rubinstein has that knack of connecting immediately with his audience. The twinkling eyes & the mischievous comments, not always what one expects. When he went to Moscow, in 1964, there was an expectancy, which permeated the hall. When he finished the first of many Chopin pieces, the hall erupted & it was difficult to hold back the emotional reaction one felt, as a mere TV spectator. I am unsure how the grapevine works if one wants to set up a plea for the reissue of this classic film. It was made in France, so perhaps that should be the starting point? RCA produced an LP of the music. Whatever, one might ask IMDb to lend a bit of weight to those of us who would pay serious money to obtain a copy? Is there a Post Box somewhere - or an amateur who has a copy & might weigh in? I tried eBay, but, so far, no response. I would like to open a dialogue here.

I saw this film in a movie theater when it was released in 1969. It features rare interviews of Artur Rubinstein in his home talking about his life and his music, as well as many samples of his solo performances and of his piano concerti accompanied by full orchestra. It is a highly enjoyable portrait of the man and his music, with no intrusions by others seeking commercial gain from his legacy. I just wish this marvelous film were available on DVD for his legions of fans to purchase and enjoy. That would be a treasure indeed!

I viewed this film in a local movie theater in l975. A momentous occasion. A magnificant work. I have been searching for a copy of this documentary for years. Please let me know if anyone out there might have a lead as to how to obtain this film.