Riverdale Library Blog

 
I'm fascinated by the lives of creative people, and documentaries on the subject are always high on my radar.  One that I have just finished enjoying is Glass:  a portrait of Philip in twelve parts.  A contemplative, intimate account of the contemporary composer Philip Glass, I found the unhurried way this film takes its audience through different aspects of Glass's public and private lives surprisingly engaging.  We see Glass composing at home, collaborating with other musicians, and preparing for the debut of his opera Waiting for the Barbarians. We also get to see Glass in more personal moments, relaxing in his Nova Scotia cottage, playing with his young sons and interacting with his spiritual teachers.  Filmmaker Scott Hicks has created an accessible portrait of a deeply thoughtful and creative man whose music has been exceptionally influential.  

Another documentary that is high on my list of recent favourites is Throw Down Your Heart, which introduced me to the musician Bela Fleck.  Fleck is a world-famous banjo virtuoso who has experimented with a range of musical styles over the course of his 30-year career.   In this film Fleck travels to Africa to trace the roots of the banjo as an instrument and also to collaborate with various African musicians.   The high points of this adventure come when Fleck sits down and jams with traditional rural artists who can't speak a word of English.  It's amazing the musical conversations that happen, and the personal bonds that are forged, all without a common language–other than musicianship, of course.  You'll never look at the banjo the same way again!

If you haven't heard of  Evelyn Glennie, then Touch the Sound, a Sound Journey with Evelyn Glennie is a must-see.  Glennie is one of the world's top percussionists.  She plays a wide range of fascinating instruments, and tours widely, collaborating with both classical orchestras and contemporary musicians.  She lost her hearing at the age of 12 but has trained herself to hear with her body, and performs barefoot to experience the sound vibrations more clearly.  For me the most memorable moment in this intriguing film is the scene where Glennie works with a young deaf girl, teaching her to play a drum and experience the sound with her body. 

What is your favourite musical documentary?