CD and Other Review

Review: Pianomania (featuring Lang Lang, Pierre Laurent-Aimard)

This documentary could just as easily have been called “monomania”. It is a character study of obsessive Steinway technician Stefan Knüpfer, a virtuoso among piano tuners. He prepares the instruments for the actual virtuosi, responding with inexhaustible patience to their often nebulous requests. Pierre-Laurent Aimard, for instance, wants a piano with two contrasting soundworlds for a recording of The Art of Fugue – an effect Knüpfer attempts to realise, in a rather Chaplinesque episode, with the help of removable sound absorbers and glass sound mirrors. Knüpfer’s mishaps continue when Lang Lang announces that the piano tuned especially for his solo concert is better suited for chamber music. Comedy duo Igudesman & Joo draw a welcome spark of levity from the technician, whose implacable earnestness does grow a bit dull at times. In fact, the film’s only shocking moment is when we learn Knüpfer has a family. What? A life away from Steinway?  Knüpfer is not the… Continue reading Get unlimited digital access from $4 per month Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log in

May 19, 2011
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Sydney Film Festival programme unveiled

Sundance and Cannes favourites, Gael Garcia Bernal and a Japanese love story among this year’s cinematic offerings. Continue reading Get unlimited digital access from $4 per month Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log in

April 4, 2011