|
 "I think that captures the part of you that I'm very fond of:
unassuming and full of affection," Bernstein told Hawke, showing
him the photo.
Bernstein is the 87-year-old subject of Hawke's new documentary,
"Seymour: An Introduction", an intimate portrait of a classical
pianist, teacher and composer. It is also about the passion and
devotion toward perfecting a craft.
An intense conversation during a chance meeting at a Manhattan
dinner party several years ago blossomed into a unique
friendship. Hawke wanted to hear Bernstein play, but it took a
year before it happened.
"What I'm kind of in shock about, and I love, is that when
somebody great plays the piano, the room stops," Hawke, 43, told
Reuters.
Bernstein had a concert career that took him all over the world,
but he called it quits at age 50, in part because he did not
enjoy the anxiety and commercial side of the business, and
wanted more time to compose and teach.
A private individual, the film does not delve into Seymour's
personal life. Yet the pianist not only agreed to the
documentary, but to Hawke's request to give an informal recital
to his theater group, New York City's LAByrinth Theater Company.
"He's so endearing, you can't say 'no' to this guy. So I heard
myself say 'yes' ... I started to practice like I was going to
make my New York debut," said Bernstein, who began playing six
to eight hours a day. "I wasn't going to let him down."
The film, which debuted at Telluride last month and was acquired
by Sundance Selects, screened at the Toronto International Film
Festival this week.
It has received critical praise. Variety wrote: "The great
classical pianist ... is as graceful a speaker as he is a
musician, and his voice rings out with wondrous depth and
clarity."
[to top of second column] |
TEACHER AND STUDENT
Even though Hawke rarely inserts himself into the film, the respect
and affection between the two artists - in some ways mentor and
protege - are nonetheless infused throughout.
"He goes inside of a person, the way he goes inside of a role, when
he plays, when he acts. He went inside of me, and was able to
capture what I would describe as my essence," said Bernstein of
Hawke.
In the film, just before Seymour gives his first public performance
in 35 years, Hawke tells the audience how he confided to Bernstein
"his most terrifying secret" - that for the last several years, he
sometimes performed with crippling stage fright. Seymour offers wise
counsel, because he understands the anxiety that comes with
performing.
Coming out of retirement proved to be a balm for Bernstein.
"Something very strange occurred ... (Ethan) introduces me. A
deathly calm came over me. I couldn't believe it. I said, this is
amazing," he said.
(Editing by Mary Milliken. Editing by Andre Grenon)
[© 2014 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2014 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
 |
