Isaac Stern: Life's Virtuoso [DVD]

I really enjoyed this documentary about Isaac Stern's life. It has lots of nice footage of him playing.

Very interesting account of Issac Stern’s life and musical accomplishments. Beautiful music.

It was in excellent condition. The subject matter was superb. I am glad to have it in my library!

Recommended: Speedy delivery!

The DVD is brief, but it offers a good sketch of the great violinist of the century the life as well as the vision of this great musicianin a well organized way. There are some very good advice and suggestions on music and music making, like playing not with your head but from your heart and a good teacher is someone who has taught you how to teach yourself etc...But the most interesting part of this DVD are not the contributors' comments, still less those from the other musicians. Rather it is the short clips from which we could hear the singing of a musician loud and clear through his instrument, the violin.In his view, it is not absolute pitch that matters, still less virtuosity. Rather, it is his style, or his character that makes the difference. And the point is, as Gregory Peck succintly puts it, he makes you feel better after listening to him! And I share the same feeling, as I have been listening to him since my adolescence. The clips, some in B/W and some in colour, one must say, have done a good job in bringing this point home.While some might regret that the DVD is short, slightly less than an hour and crammed with so many contributors, and that it is not as colouful as his "From Mao to Mozart"...etc. Be that as it may, there isn't anything amiss from this DVD save and except that there should be a longer clip of violin playing of, say, one whole movement from any of the pieces. Have they included that, it would certainly derserve 5 stars if not more. Having said that, the production is really enjoyable. Viewers who wish to see more of his performance should perhaps check out his Brahms Trios recorded in the 70s with Istomin and Rose or else his recital with A. Zakin on the piano playing Bach, Schubert, Mozart and Brahms (Vai). Recommended.

There is lots of Stern playing and lots of Stern talking -- what more can one want? I thought the program was nicely put together. There were clips from many periods of his life. There was enough on his development as a player to get an understanding of his background, motivations, etc. I thought that this was a very effective program. The images were clear even on a 55 inch LCD TV. The sound was very good.

One reviewer complains that there is too much talking and not enough playing. This DVD is billed very clearly as a "special interest documentary" so what the hell do you expect? If you want to hear and/or see the great man in concert, I suggest you buy a copy.The documentary is extremely well done and produced and thoroughly enjoyable. If you're an Isaac Stern fan, it's a must for your collection.

This is a good DVD about Stern's life. It is greatly aided by interesting comments made by a varied group of famous people, violinists and otherwise. These include Eugene Istomin, Jean-Pierre Rampal, Pinchas Zukerman, Zubin Mehta, Jack Benny, Sarah Chang, Gregory Peck, Henry Kissinger, Shimon Peres, Itzhak Perlman, Yo Yo Ma. I watched this DVD after I had seen the excellent one "From Mao to Mozart" which has more depth and many more great extras (this has no video extras). Otherwise I might have given it 4 stars.

I ordered this DVD, not because I have knowledge of Isaac Stern, in fact, to the best of my knowledge I have never heard his music. I have heard of him but only in, over the years passing. I really liked this DVD. Not only was it easy to watch as well as being a learning experience, but I was glad to have watched it and I will watch it again. He seemed quite a remarkable man, so confident, so sure of himself, and yet not overbearingly so. Not in your face, more like capably, joyfully so. Having watched this DVD, I feel I have come away with, gained, a deeper sense of appreciation and learning. Some people are just so gifted and I don't mean by that to imply it comes easy to them; I don't think it does. I don't know that there is one answer or solution for what determines a persons talents and abilities, I am thinking it can or must be a combination of things, but practice and focus, skill and determination, a learned and complete understanding of ones chosen craft or skills, through and with the help of others guidance, and most of all an inner desire to choose, to follow ones own heartfelt path. I do recommend this DVD.

A great portrait of a great man. Zubin Mehta: "Talking about Stern, do not say he is good in technique, in staccato, in this, in that...simply listen to the music and enjoy!" So true; he was the most beautifully performing violinist of our time!

Thoroughly enjoyed the music, of course. Found the documentary material interesting and enlightening. Much appreciated.

Great documentary about a great artist.