Seymour: An Introduction

Seymour: an Introduction is one of the most touching films I've watched. The title character, Seymour, is charming beyond words. He is beautifully portrayed by Ethan Hawke. The film provides candid interviews with former students and notables of the world of classical music. Each glimpse of this master teacher brings the audience closer to seeing a natural-born teacher in his element. Seymour has mastered the art of inspiring his students to reach the beyond their limits to create the best music they can. Seymour himself seems to magically sprinkle fairy dust on every piano he touches! He is an inspiration to both pianists and non-pianists everywhere. This film will, hopefully, in time, become a classic.

I wept, equally of joy and sadness, for most of an hour and forty minutes. Sit up front and go alone. See it at a theater only. This film is so quiet and delicate...and it just sneaks up on you and goes right through into your heart, gut, soul. It may be the most extraordinary film I've ever seen on the subject of artistry, creativity and its inner workings.....and I've see a few greats:(Frida, Turner, Vivian Maier, etc.)

'Seymour' is about devotion, love, inspiration. And it's big secret is that it GIVES THIS RIGHT TO YOU as you bear witness, if you let it get inside. You cannot go back into the world now. Well, not for a while. Not until you get over to the musical instrument, the pen or type, the camera, the canvas, the clay.

Ethan Hawke....what are you doing to us? The understated, magnificent director you have become! Thank you for this.

A wonderfully composed and lovingly constructed film about a fascinating man. Mr. Bernstein has paid full attention in his long life, and it's paid dividends. His love of life and music, along with Hawke's love of Bernstein, are contagious. Catch a dose for yourself!

(And while you're at it, you may want to take a look at some of Bernstein's Youtube videos as well. There are lessons from his '80s instructional videos that even a non- player like myself found fascinating. There are some others where he's interviewed by Ben Laude on various artists and multiple facets of music on the Tonebase channel, at least one of which features an elaboration on why he dislikes Glenn Gould's Bach {and Mozart} so much, in case you're wondering after hearing his fairly brief criticism in Hawke's movie.)

This is an exceptional documentary centering on Seymour Bernstein, the classical pianist, composer, and teacher. Now 88-years-old, he retired from concert appearances at age 50 to devote more time to teaching and mentoring others. Bernstein had me rather mesmerized with his distinctive tones, as he spins fascinating stories and anecdotes from his life, adding some quite profound words of wisdom that he's gathered over his lifetime.

The superb actor Ethan Hawke directs the documentary, and I read that he regards Bernstein as a mentor of his. Both men during the interviews, reveal some very personal aspects of their life, including stage fright and how to get fulfillment for the remainder of their time on this earth.

Overall, I was totally engaged, from start to finish, in this remarkable movie, and there's some wonderful classical music to enjoy as well.

As a musician of 50 years standing and an international teaching and performing career, I can honestly say, this movie was a "stunner". Professor Bernstein embodies all of those qualities of a teacher, a performer and a wise professor of life and culture that we all emulate and have tried in our careers to articulate. He is more than a "guru" but an icon of performance practice and pedagogy that will stand the test of time in this important and beautiful film.

Ethan Hawke should be commended and lauded for bringing this important man and his wisdom to light in this profound way.

In my opinion, this film should be "required viewing" for every pedagogue, music lover, and aspiring performer. It should (at least) be in the library of every university, music school and college in the country.

Fantastic film and the best music film I have ever seen.